Objective To describe the subjective experiences of older adults with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease or related cognitive disorders (ADRD) and their family caregivers who participated in an art museum engagement activity. Methods Four focus groups were conducted with 10 persons with ADRD and 10 family caregivers following the completion one-time, three hour engagement activity. Participants also completed a brief satisfaction survey, and associations were examined using nonparametric statistics. Results Three key themes were identified: cognitive stimulation, social connections, and a sense of self. In addition, we identified programmatic issues such as activity-specific concerns and program logistics that could help improve future art program offerings. Past experience with art and perceived social cohesion were correlated with participants’ overall satisfaction with the program. Discussion Efforts aimed at improving the quality of life of those with Alzheimer’s and their family caregivers should consider the potential role of art museums.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe humor and laughter in persons with cognitive impairment (PWCI) and caregivers who were recalling a shared experience in a focus group. Design Twenty participants attended an Art Engagement Activity at the Andy Warhol Art Museum, which included a guided tour and an art project. All PWCI had medically diagnosed cognitive disorders and all caregiver participants did not. Four focus groups were conducted and transcripts of audio-recorded sessions were transferred to a qualitative software program. Methods Words, phrases and episodes of humor and laughter were used to construct codes, which were refined during group analysis using constant comparison. Findings Humor and laughter were present in all four focus groups. Emerging themes of humor included silliness, sarcasm and commenting about hardships of dementia. Laughter was identified in segments with and without humor. Some PWCI were unable to follow social cues. Conclusions Humor and laughter played a role in creating a safe social environment. PWCI were able to engage in humor during social interactions, yet some had difficulty recognizing social cues. Further study may reveal roles of humor and laughter in adaptation to cognitive decline and holistic interventions for improved quality of life.

Background: People with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) often struggle with uncertainty and fear when learning of and coping with their diagnosis. However, little is known about their experiences and perspectives, and those of their care partners, when seeking out and undergoing a diagnostic evaluation for their cognitive symptoms. Method: This study is a secondary analysis of a focus group discussion that was initially conducted to learn the perspectives and experiences of participants and their care partners during a mock disclosure session of brain scan results. Participant’s broader views on their experience of completing a cognitive evaluation resulting in an MCI diagnosis were evaluated in this study. Analysis used qualitative content methodology and line-by-line coding which generated categories and themes. Results: The (1) “presence of a threat” and (2) attempts to “minimize the threat” emerged as overarching themes driving the process of seeking out a diagnostic evaluation for cognitive symptoms. Subthemes that highlight the complexity of the presence of a threat included the “fear of stigma,” and the “emotional reactions” related to an MCI diagnosis. Three additional subthemes represented approaches that participants and their care partners used to minimize threat of MCI: “use of language” to minimize the threat; “information sharing and withholding”; and the “use of social support to legitimize personal experiences.” Conclusion: These findings add to the literature by elucidating the uncertainty, fears, and coping strategies that accompany a diagnostic evaluation of MCI.

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