Art Programs in Place for Dementia Patients and Their Caregivers
Dementia has an touch on many people worldwide. 47.5 1000000 people globally are living with some course of the status. In the United States, there are around 5 meg people living with historic period-related dementia. Information technology's estimated that i out of every x men living past the age of 55 volition develop the condition. For women, the figure rises to one out of every six.
The condition happens when diseases such as Alzheimer'southward, or a series of strokes cause damage to the encephalon. Symptoms tin can include memory loss and confusion. They can oftentimes beginning small. However, they can then progress into difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. People with dementia tin can struggle with everyday tasks. They may likewise experience changes in mood and behaviour. Symptoms tin can change from person to person, and there are different types of dementia.
Dementia is not always visible. This can mean that sometimes people with the condition are treated as if they are being disruptive when they are in public. For example, if they are struggling to handle coins or to follow instructions. They tin appear confused or even aggressive. This is why understanding and beingness aware of dementia is important. Cultural institutions such as museums have an of import office to play in dementia awareness and instruction. They can likewise serve as prophylactic spaces and can run a variety of activities. Within museums, people with dementia can bask programmes tailored to their needs.
The Art Museums Working with People with Dementia
Prototype: MAC Australia
Australia'south Museum of Contemporary Art created an art therapy programme chosen Artful. It was a research plan that ran betwixt March 2016 and Oct 2018. During that fourth dimension, 67 people with dementia and 57 intendance partners took part. The aim was to explore whether creative art programmes tin enhance wellbeing in people living with dementia.
The report was robust and took place over 3 years. Information technology included around l pre- and post-interviews with participants. During the programme, groups of six to 8 people came to the MCA along with their carers. They attended twice a week for five sessions over a ten-week period. As part of the sessions, they got involved in hands-on art experiences. The MCA also created Artful at Habitation packs. These were for participants to extend the experience outside the scheduled visits. The packs included materials and uncomplicated instructions. This means that participants could add art to their home routines too. One grouping member said, "Love the experience of coming to the museum so much- it makes me so happy to exist hither and so taking something away home with me meant that I was taking some of that happy feeling away with me."
Participants responded well to the art programme. But it also had an touch on on their caregivers. The sessions gave them an opportunity to step dorsum from their care part and get involved in making fine art too. Michelle Heldon and Gill Nicol from the MCA spoke to MuseumNext about the project. They were bully to highlight the impact on the carers. "Their active engagement in the program meant that the programme was as well a valuable experience for them. The experience brought hope to the intendance partners, they saw new ways to connect and were delighted in the surprise of the new skills and memories beingness built."
Dementia Awareness Workshops in the Museum
House of Memories is a museum-led dementia awareness program. Information technology offers resources and training, too as museum-based activities. Information technology highlights the fact that "museums are experts at recording and caring for people's memories". The programme builds on this cognition and experience. It aims to support carers and promote person-centred care. Business firm of Memories is office of National Museums Liverpool. Since its creation, it has provided training to wellness, social care and housing professionals. House of Memories also works with family carers.
Paradigm: National Museums Liverpool
A dementia diagnosis can be scary for people when they don't know much about the status. One key service provided by House of Memories is dementia awareness workshops. These take place throughout the year. They are tailored to family members, friends, and community volunteers. The sessions provide an overview of dementia. Participants explore the challenges of living with dementia through personal stories. They also learn about practical approaches to caring for someone who has dementia.
House of Memories has as well created an innovative app that people can use together. It lets users explore objects and share memories. Information technology has images of items from across history. For example, movie house tickets, a Singer sewing motorcar and a ten-shilling notation. It also includes sounds and music to bring these pictures to life. The app features a digital memory tree. This is where users tin upload their own personal photos and memories.
Making Fine art Accessible to those with Demetia
The Museum of Modern Fine art in New York runs Meet Me at MoMA. This interactive programme takes place every month. It allows people with dementia to discuss and react to fine art in the gallery. It also gives them a risk to create their ain art, alongside their carers. Trained museum staff lead the sessions. These events foster a sense of customs in the participants.
The museum is committed to accessibility and to providing services for people with dementia. Between 2007 and 2014 it worked on expanding the Meet Me at MoMA format. The MoMA Alzheimer's project included the development of new resources. MoMA has created tools that are now available for many people who cater to those with dementia. This includes museums, assisted-living facilities, and other community organizations. The aim is to make art, and the benefits of fine art, accessible to people living with the condition.
The projection will have long-term benefits. According to the museum, "MoMA staff will proceed to provide resources, information, and advice to other organizations and to facilitate preparation workshops locally, nationally, and abroad. Nosotros are poised to maintain our role every bit a connector in this field- to serve as a hub for conversations on ageing and creativity and to provide a vital link for colleagues around the globe who are interested in making art accessible to people with dementia."
Dementia Friendly Museum Activities
One Great britain museum has been working to become more dementia friendly. The Purple Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery runs a project called "Living Each Flavour". This is a series of creative activities, gallery tours and object-handling sessions. The programme is for people living with dementia, as well every bit their carers. The sessions take themes based on the seasons, exploring nature and a wide range of artefacts. They are designed to be engaging for people from any cultural background, at any historic period.
Many dementia programmes deal with the topics of memory and remembrance. Nevertheless, the focus of this project is the nowadays. RAMM says the programme follows the attitude of 19th-century American philosopher and nature writer Henry David Thoreau. He wrote, "Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, gustatory modality the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." Each session focuses on the electric current season. For example, spring conversations may focus on flower patterns and stuffed birds. Winter sessions could expect at cosy textiles or the Arctic. Each object can spark new conversations and feelings. Carrie Clarke is an occupational therapist at the nearby NHS Franklyn Hospital. "It's about tapping into what people can do rather than what they can't," she says.
Museums working in partnership
Museum professionals are experts in their ain fields but don't necessarily accept in-depth cognition of dementia. Working with dementia specialists will help them to get the nigh out of their programmes. Ten museums across Minnesota and Wisconsin worked with the Alzheimer'due south Clan to offer Spark! This is a cultural programme which aims to get people involved in art. Information technology likewise works to create a supportive community.
The programme includes interactive activities, including object handling and other multi-sensory experience. Trained staff atomic number 82 the sessions. These facilitators encourage conversation and provide a welcoming and fun surround. The sessions are designed to keep people with dementia agile and social. They attend alongside their caregivers who can enjoy the activities too.
The Milwaukee Public Museum is 1 of the institutions offering the programme. Dawn Koceja is the Curator of Education at the museum. Speaking about the sessions she says, "Just because somebody has been categorised as having Alzheimer'due south, doesn't mean that they are sitting in a bed or in a wheelchair. It's all well-nigh staying actively engaged in your customs and being a part of the community."
Blueprint Museum Experiences for people with Dementia
Heidi Benham is from the Royal College of Art in London. She spoke at MuseumNext Indianapolis about designing museum experiences for people with dementia. Benham says, "through sympathetic and creative design methods, museums accept the opportunity to create truly engaging spaces making time for reflection, for feeling and for a sense of connectivity."
There are many different factors that can ensure spaces are attainable and welcoming. Museums need to have into account physical aspects such as piece of furniture, doors and full general layouts. In improver to this, they demand to be conscious of the impact of ornament and color choices.
Benham talks about how the use of colour can alter how people perceive a room. Warm colours having the ability to make spaces seem more welcoming. Yellowish, for instance, can stimulate conversation and create friendly-seeming space. Even the type of paint is important, as non-reflective paint works to reduce glare. Contrast and clarity should be used in signage and control buttons. People need to be able to find facilities such every bit toilets and lifts with ease. This gives them the confidence to navigate in unfamiliar spaces. Benham advocates getting advice from a dementia specialist. She besides suggests involving people who are living with the condition and their carers in the blueprint process.
Worldwide, almost l million people have dementia. There are up to 10 million new cases every yr. In that location are many ways that museums can work with people who are living with the condition. Projects can include reminiscence projects and art therapy. Museums also need to train staff in dementia sensation. Well-designed spaces and programmes tin can ensure that museums are welcoming and attainable.
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Source: https://www.museumnext.com/article/designing-museum-programmes-for-people-with-dementia/