Facilitating creativity in dementia care: the co-construction of arts-based engagement

Abstract

This paper seeks to understand the engagement of people with dementia in creative and arts-based activities by applying a relational model of citizenship and incorporating concepts of contextual and embodied learning from adult learning theory. A theoretically driven secondary analysis of observational and interview data focuses on the engagement of staff, volunteers and people with dementia during an arts-based intervention in a day centre and care home. The processes through which learning is co-constructed between the person with dementia, staff/volunteer facilitators and peers in the group to co-produce a creative engaged experience involves: increasing confidence for learning, facilitating social and physical connections, and affirming creative self-expression. The role of facilitator is central to the process of creative engagement to reinforce a sense of agency amongst participants and recognise people's prior experiences of learning and engagement in creative activities. People with dementia continue to learn and grow through engagement in creative activities to produce positive outcomes for the individual participants and for the care staff who observe and participate in this creativity. Facilitating creativity requires attention to lifelong experiences of learning in addition to the immediate interactional context to integrate arts-based interventions in dementia care successfully.

Conceptualizing citizenship in dementia: A scoping review of the literature

“…Recognizing this complexity, this body of literature has grappled with the need to conceptualize participation across a continuum, drawing attention to the ‘less active’, ‘nuanced,’ or ‘passive’ forms of participation of those who are further along in their dementia trajectory. For example, notions of narrativity and embodiment have been invoked to draw attention to how people with dementia may enact subtle forms of agency and autonomy even in the later stages of dementia (see for example Baldwin, 2008 ; Baldwin & Greason, 2016 ; Clarke & Bailey, 2016 ; Dupuis et al, 2016 ; Grenier et al, 2017 ; Grigorovich & Kontos, 2018 ; Keyes et al, 2019 ; Kontos et al, 2020 ; Kontos & Grigorovich, 2018a ; Robertson & McCall, 2020 ). Birt et al, (2017) note that the “passive mode” of citizenship shows a greater emphasis on facilitation by others, whereby “the actions of others recognize and acknowledge the nuanced ways in which people with severe dementia may display agency” (p. 205).…”

Arts Engagement Facilitated by Artists With Individuals With Life-limiting Illness: An Integrative Review of the Literature

“…[72] However, due to the nuanced aspects of dementia care, the authors of the present review recommend that this area is explored separately to account for the practical considerations speci c to changes in cognitive functioning. [73][74][75] Similarly, dance programs for Parkinson's disease require highly nuanced practice and are well-structured and mapped in the literature. [76][77][78][79][80] Therefore, it is recommended that a research agenda is mapped for arts engagement for each patient population identi ed as having specialized needs to identify outcome measures best suited to assess bene ts and risks.…”

An integrative approach to dementia care

“…Numerous positive outcomes can be gained through psychosocial activities that affect QoL. The literature supports the benefits of incorporating art activities in dementia care, including increases in positive affect, QoL measures, social interaction and support, self-esteem, and confidence ( Robertson and McCall, 2020 ). Indeed, the potential psychosocial and sensory stimulatory benefits are increasingly recognized by various specialties of medical professions ( Guseva, 2019 ).…”

“…Indeed, the potential psychosocial and sensory stimulatory benefits are increasingly recognized by various specialties of medical professions ( Guseva, 2019 ). Art-based activities provide opportunities for intellectual stimulation with positive impacts on cognition, communication, attention, concentration, and personhood ( Robertson and McCall, 2020 ). Furthermore, creative therapies (i.e., art, music, storytelling, dance) generate opportunities for reminiscence and self-expression leading to enhanced well-being, improved memory, social and cognitive functioning, and decreased anxiety and cognitive decline ( Foti and Ghaul, 2019 ).…”