Critical reflections on methodological challenge in arts and dementia evaluation and research

Gray, Karen; Evans, Simon; Griffiths, Amanda; Schneider, Justine

doi:10.1177/1471301217734478

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Moreover, there has been recognition of the need to privilege the perspectives and voices of people living with a dementia and the role of the arts in facilitating this (Beard, 2012;Bartlett, 2014;Hara, 2011;Hughes, 2014;McFadden et al, 2008;Zeilig et al, 2014). Although the evidence base requires further strengthening and is still largely under-theorised (Gray et al, 2017;Schall et al, 2017), it is widely accepted that both the participative arts and art therapy are important in a variety of ways for ameliorating the lives of people with a dementia (Creative Health, APPG, 2017).…”

Section: The Arts For People Living With a Dementiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-creativity: possibilities for using the arts with people with a dementia

Zeilig

West

Williams

2018

QAOA

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Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of co-creativity in relation to artistic practice with people with a dementia. The aim of the discussion is to outline how co-creativity offers fresh approaches for engaging artists and people with dementia, can contribute to less restrictive understandings of "creativity" and above all, expand the understanding of people with a dementia as creative, relational and agential. Design/methodology/approach-In order to examine current conceptions of co-creativity and to inform the artistic practice, relevant literature was explored and eight expert interviews were conducted. The interviews were thematically analysed and are included here. Findings-This paper consequently demonstrates that improvisation, structure, leadership and equality are central elements of co-creative processes and outlines how co-creativity can offer fresh insights into the way in which the arts can engage people with a dementia, the relationship between creativity and dementia and the transformative potential of the co-creative arts for those living with a dementia. Research limitations/implications-The paper discusses some of the difficulties that are inherent a co-creative approach, including power relations and the limitations of inclusivity. Due to ethical restrictions, the paper is limited by not including the perspectives of people living with a dementia. Practical implications-This paper paves the way for future research into co-creative processes in a variety of different contexts. Social implications-A more nuanced understanding of co-creativity with people with dementia could challenge the dominant biomedical and social paradigms that associate "dementia" with irretrievable loss and decline by creating opportunities for creative agency. Originality/value-This exploration of co-creativity with people with dementia is the first of its kind and contributes to the wider understanding of co-creativity and co-creative practice.

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Section: The Arts For People Living With a Dementiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-creativity: possibilities for using the arts with people with a dementia

Zeilig

West

Williams

2018

QAOA

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“…Nonetheless, there is ample innovation and proof-of-principle evidence to make the arts a fertile field for dementia researchers in pursuit of evidence. Meta-reviews of psychosocial interventions are beginning to place arts interventions on a par with other non-pharmacological approaches to alleviate certain behavioural symptoms of dementia, such as agitation and apathy [ 55 , 56 ]. One of the broadest systematic reviews of the arts in dementia, cited earlier in this paper [ 8 ], summarises the characteristics of the included studies, and this gives an overview of the contemporary research field ( Table 1 ).…”

Section: Discussion: a Rationale For The Arts In Dementia Care Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Arts as a Medium for Care and Self-Care in Dementia: Arguments and Evidence

Schneider

2018

IJERPH

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The growing prevalence of dementia, combined with an absence of effective pharmacological treatments, highlights the potential of psychosocial interventions to alleviate the effects of dementia and enhance quality of life. With reference to a manifesto from the researcher network Interdem, this paper shows how arts activities correspond to its definition of psycho-social care. It presents key dimensions that help to define different arts activities in this context, and illustrates the arts with reference to three major approaches that can be viewed online; visual art, music and dance. It goes on to discuss the features of each of these arts activities, and to present relevant evidence from systematic reviews on the arts in dementia in general. Developing the analysis into a template for differentiating arts interventions in dementia, the paper goes on to discuss implications for future research and for the uptake of the arts by people with dementia as a means to self-care.

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“…Moreover, arts and dementia research lacks appropriate theoretical frameworks (Young, Camic and Tischler, 2016), and few studies have attempted to explain how the arts 'work' for people with dementia (Windle et al, 2017). Furthermore, the field has no common language to name and communicate the mechanisms and outcomes of arts interventions between multi-disciplinary partnersfor example artists, care staff, researchers, funders and people living with dementia (Gray et al, 2017). In summary, the description, explanation, communication and simplification of arts interventions for people with dementia needs improving.…”

Section: A Taxonomy Of Arts Interventions For People With Dementia: Amentioning

confidence: 99%