Changing perceptions towards dementia: How does involvement in the arts alongside persons with dementia promote positive attitudes?

Abstract

The prevalence of dementia in Singapore is on the rise. Due to the negative perceptions associated with the condition, persons with dementia and their care partners face an increased risk of social isolation and loneliness. One objective of the Arts and Dementia programme offered by the Alzheimer’s Disease Association is to increase inclusivity of persons with dementia in the community. To investigate the impact of the programme on perceptions towards dementia, a mixed-method approach involving 75 artists and volunteers was conducted. Findings from the Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire revealed that participants involved in the programme had significantly more positive perceptions than new volunteers. A thematic analysis was conducted on the focus group discussions and four themes were identified: (1) meaningful and rewarding interactions, (2) focus on abilities, (3) learning process and (4) more can be done. These findings suggest that meaningful experiences during the programme may be a driving force behind positive perceptions towards dementia.

Role of Interacting and Learning Experiences on Public Stigma Against Dementia: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study

“…Contact and education are the main strategies commonly used to reduce stigma. It has been suggested that contact and interactions with people with dementia through arts activities (Tan et al, 2021) and choir programs (Harris & Caporella, 2014) reduce dementia stigma. For students and care workers, contact with and education about people with dementia may decrease their stigma (Goldman & Trommer, 2019; Herrmann et al, 2019).…”

“…Meanwhile, a trial of an online program of contact and education showed improved knowledge of dementia, although it failed to clearly reduce stigma (Kim et al, 2019). Personal contact and social exposure may provide an opportunity to find the remaining strengths and abilities of people with dementia (Tan et al, 2021). Additionally, acquiring correct knowledge and information about dementia through education and learning may replace inaccurate stereotypes and beliefs that lead to stigmatisation, resulting in more positive attitudes (Kim et al, 2019).…”

“…Additionally, learning about dementia can promote a correct understanding of the condition as a lack of information and education can be one of the main causes of stigma (Alzheimer's Disease International, 2012). Several empirical studies have confirmed that contact and education may contribute to reducing dementia stigma (Goldman & Trommer, 2019;Harris & Caporella, 2014;Herrmann et al, 2019;Kim et al, 2019;Tan et al, 2021). However, the number of related studies is small, and their results are inconsistent, meaning that the evidence remains insufficient (Herrmann et al, 2018).…”

Perceptions and experiences of dementia and its care in rural Kenya

“…Moreover, high levels of stigma and discrimination towards psychiatrists and patients with dementia and other types of mental and neurological conditions (Gaebel et al, 2015;Ndetei, Ngumi, Zipporah, Mutiso, Musyimi, & Kamau, 2013) may also contribute to uncoordinated pathways to dementia care. These low levels of resources and negative perceptions can have profound effects on the person with dementia and their carers leading to depression, social isolation, loneliness, diminished quality of care and reduced health-care seeking (Farina, Suemoto, Burton, Oliveira, & Frost, 2020;Tan, Yeo, Koh, Wong, & Lee, 2020). "…”