RESEARCH

Societies in the UK and Japan are ageing. Linked with this demographic change, there are also more people living with dementia. There is currently no effective treatment to prevent or cure dementia. Therefore, we believe that more attention must be given to the best ways in which people can live with this condition and be cared for. There is still a great deal of stigma and prejudice about dementia. Together, we must consider how public attitudes and perceptions can be challenged to address this stigma.

The arts have been shown to be an effective way of addressing wellbeing, health and even cognitive function for older people with dementia. The arts can also challenge deep-rooted stereotypes about dementia. In this project, we are interested in how the co-creative arts can counter traditional views about people with dementia as non-creative and dependent. We are also exploring different cultural understandings and practices of co-creativity. 

 

IMPACT

Our research is of relevance to all those affected by dementia. Our work will contribute to enhanced understanding of the lived experience of dementia to positively affect public perception and attitudes. Areas in which we aim to effect change include:

  • The care industry: our findings will enable those caring for people living with dementias to develop new understandings of the positive role that the co-creative arts can play in supporting agency and wellbeing.

  • The medical and healthcare professions: our work will offer new thinking from the fields of gerontology, social science, medical humanities, philosophy and the Arts.

  • The emergent field of Arts practice with people living with dementia will be extended and developed.

  • Students at institutions in the UK and in Japan will benefit from receiving education and gaining practical experience of working co-creatively with people with dementia through training programmes.

 

Publications

Creative Health, All Party Parliamentary Group for Arts, Health and Wellbeing, 2017 

Sarkamo et al, Cognitive, Emotional, and Social Benefits of Regular Musical Activities in Early Dementia: Randomized Controlled Study, The Gerontologist, Volume 54, Issue 4, August 2014, Pages 634–650, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnt100

H. Zeilig, J. West, V. Tischler, M. van der Byl Williams, S. Strohmaier,  Co-creativity, well-being and agency: A case study analysis of a co-creative arts group for people with dementia, Journal of Aging Studies, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2019.03.002

H. Zeilig, J. West, M. van der Byl Williams, Co-creativity: Possibilities for using the arts with people with a dementia, Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1108/QAOA-02-2018-0008

REPORT

N.Kusaka et al., 2020, Validation of Music Workshops for Senior Citizens.