No abstract

Background: This review focused on evaluation of United Kingdom social prescribing schemes published in peer-reviewed journals and reports. Schemes, including arts, books, education and exercise "on prescription" refer patients to community sources of non-clinical intervention. Method: A systematised review protocol appraised primary research material evaluating social prescribing schemes published 2000-2015. Searches were performed in electronic databases using keywords, and articles were screened for evaluation of patient data, referral process, assessment method and outcomes; non-evaluated articles were excluded. Results: Of 86 schemes located including pilots, 40 evaluated primary research materials: 17 used quantitative methods including 6 randomised controlled trials; 16 qualitative methods, and 7 mixed methods; 9 exclusively involved arts on prescription. Conclusions: Outcomes included increase in self-esteem and confidence; improvement in mental well-being and positive mood; and reduction in anxiety, depression and negative mood. Despite positive findings, the review identifies a number of gaps in the evidence base and makes recommendations for future evaluation and implementation of referral pathways.

Ten people with dementia (PWD) and their family carers participated in a Singing Together Group for 10 weeks and measures of mood, quality of life, PWD's behavioural and psychological problems, activities of daily living and cognitive status were measured at pre, post and 10-week follow-up. Engagement levels were monitored during the sessions and care partners asked to rate each session. Additional qualitative information was obtained through interview pre-post and at follow-up and subjected to thematic analysis. The results showed that PWD were deteriorating slowly over the course of the study on all measures but that they and their carers' quality of life remained relatively stable. Engagement levels during the group were very high and attendance excellent. Qualitative data gave strong support to the group having promoted wellbeing of all participants and Nolan's 'Senses Framework' was used to explore this further. Future research directions are suggested.

The resulting theory has potential implications for the use of gallery-based programs in dementia care within public health, healthcare, and museum/art gallery policy and practice.

IntroducciónActualmente las enfermedades neurodegenerativas en la tercera edad, concretamente la enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras demencias, se presentan como uno de los grandes retos de la humanidad del siglo XXI, dado el crecimiento exponencial de las personas con esta afección, hecho que ha provocado que la comunidad científica se sensibilice con las problemáticas asociadas a la vejez, requiriendo que su investigación se aborde desde perspectivas multidisciplinares que permitan avanzar tanto en los tratamientos Arte y Trabajo Social: un programa de intervención para transformar la visión de la sociedad para la inclusión de personas con demencia temprana y Alzheimer Resumen El presente artículo expone un programa que se enmarca en el campo del Arte y la Educación como herramientas en el Trabajo Social para la inclusión de personas diagnosticadas de demencia temprana y Alzheimer, para erradicar estigmas y mitos asociados a la enfermedad. El programa se inscribe en el Proyecto ARS (Arte y Salud Alzheimer) de la Junta de Castilla y León y del Fondo Social Europeo. Se muestran una serie de actividades artístico-educativas evaluadas para que puedan desarrollarlas las personas con la enfermedad de Alzheimer en fase incipiente y empleadas por cuidadores y familiares para trabajar con este perfil de personas, con el objetivo de mejorar su bienestar, autoestima y calidad de vida. Palabras clave: arte, Trabajo Social, demencia temprana, empoderamiento, actividades artístico-educativas. AbstractThis paper presents a program centred on arts and education as tools in social work for the inclusion of people with earlyonset dementia and Alzheimer's. The objective of the programme is to eradicate the stigma and myths associated with the disease. The program is part of the Junta de Castilla y León and the European Social Fund's ARS Project (Arte y Salud Alzheimer; Alzheimer's Art & Health). The programme presents a series of evaluated artistic and educational activities that can be undertaken by people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and that can also be used by caregivers and family when working with this group of people, with the aim of improving their wellbeing, self-esteem and quality of life.