Abstract
Background: Difficulties in verbal expression, apathy, and social withdrawal are common symptoms of dementia, posing challenges for caregivers. This project investigates whether art interventions can benefit individuals with dementia and explores effective implementation methods, highlighting the power of interdisciplinary collaboration between Arts and healthcare, showcasing the strength of the teamwork and unity.
Approach: This action research focuses on resource integration, establishing collaborative models, and forming an execution team to identify culturally suitable activities. This four-stage case study can inspire community engagement and cross-disciplinary initiatives.
1.Generating ideas and securing resources: Art-making activities that engage the units of body, emotion, and expression can promote health. The researcher obtained sponsorship from the National Culture and Arts Foundation.
2.Forming a transdisciplinary team: The researcher discussed the collaboration model and specific details with the institution's manager and established a transdisciplinary team of artists, art therapists, nurses, social workers, and caregivers. The team holds a monthly art workshop focused on self-awareness and self-care to facilitate each individual’s role in participating in elder art groups from diverse professional perspectives.
3.Initiating an art group for elders with dementia: Ten participants aged 65 to 80 with moderate to advanced dementia engaged in weekly 90-minute sessions over twelve weeks in a long-term care facility. Thematic activities included painting, collage-making, and hand-sculpture workshops focused on exploring nature, home, travel, and life issues. These activities were designed to enhance sensory perception, evoke deep emotions, and foster motivation and focus for creation. The process was recorded.
4.Sharing and promoting artwork: The created artworks were exhibited, and the process was documented in community art spaces and seminars for healthcare and art professionals.
Result: This action approach benefits elders, healthcare professionals, and artists. Based on interviews and observation records, family members and caregivers reported that elders showed increased vitality, emotional expression, and social skills, proving the project’s effectiveness and instilling hope and optimism in the audience. Caregivers felt empowered and experienced reduced burnout, while administrators noted higher job enthusiasm among interdisciplinary team members, all of whom remained for three years compared to those who left after two years. The project exhibition attracted around 5,000 visitors and sparked interest and feedback on dementia care, leading the community to propose art groups for individuals with dementia.
Implication: Participants and viewers recognized the advantages of integrating art into dementia care and showed a desire to get involved. Community art museums and healthcare institutions aim to incorporate this approach into their practices. Consequently, a follow-up program will be launched to empower healthcare and art professionals in developing art interventions tailored to the local culture for dementia care. However, further examination of the long-term effects of these interventions on cognitive functions and community well-being is necessary.
Key words: art intervention, dementia care, interdisciplinary collaboration