Community-based arts for people experiencing dementia

Community-based arts activities are reported to contribute to social engagement, quality of life and well-being of people living with dementia. This research aimed to explore how community-based arts activities can be more inclusive of those living with dementia in the community. This study specifically examined the research question: How are participatory community- based arts for older people evaluated, communicated, and perceived and can they be more inclusive of people living with dementia? This study was crafted in three phases. In Phase 1, a scoping review was undertaken using a methodological framework to examine evaluation of participatory community-based arts suitable for people living with dementia. In Phase two, guided by an empirically and theoretically based framework for online information seeking, the provision and communication of arts activities in 29 councils‚ÄövÑv¥ websites in Tasmania were explored. For Phase 3, interviews were undertaken with people living with dementia, artists, and art planners. Thematic analysis was used to explore their perceptions of participatory community-based arts and the factors that might aid the inclusion of those living with dementia. The scoping review revealed that social indicators are rarely used to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based arts activities for people living with dementia. Searching the councils‚ÄövÑv¥ website using the term ‚ÄövÑv¿dementia‚ÄövÑvp resulted in only a single participatory art activity. While a broad range of participatory arts opportunities were presented and promoted by local councils and were communicated online, discoverability was poor and complex search strategies were required to expose them. Of 72 art activities found on council websites, only one art activity explicitly invited participation of people living with dementia. Thematic analysis of interviews revealed that artists and art planners believed art is inherently inclusive and when coupled with flexible delivery, could be more inclusive of those living with dementia. Artists and art planners expressed concerns about communicating the available opportunities to those living with dementia, access issues and practical aspects of community-based arts activities for those living with dementia. Artists also recognised that knowledge of dementia and its impacts in the general community was low. Being confident to work with people living with dementia, incorporating adaptable approaches as well as more flexible rules and instructions were suggested by artists and art planners to be important considerations if their arts activities were to be inclusive of people living with dementia. From the perspective of those living with dementia, being involved with community-based arts activities was thought to contribute to a wide range of social benefits. The art activity itself was not felt to be the most important aspect of community-based arts, social engagement and opportunities to reduce stigma through education were important benefits. Sourcing information, and accessing the activity remained a concern from the perspective of this group. Judgment-free activities, a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, the art facilitators‚ÄövÑv¥ enabling approach, and familiarity with other participants in the activity were suggested by those living with dementia to be important. A preliminary model for dementia inclusive community-based arts activities includes ensuring access to the information about available opportunities, acknowledging access, proximity, or transport needs for participants, and assuring support while attending community-based arts activities. Supporting those living with dementia while attending arts activities could be achieved through employing a flexible delivery mode and creating a welcoming and inclusive, judgement-free atmosphere. Carers, artists, art planners, art organizations, dementia-related organisations, councils, and other stakeholders all have a role to play to create dementia inclusive community-based arts activities. Enhanced dementia awareness could aid in creating dementia inclusive activities.