A contemporary artistic education experience for people with dementia. AR.S Proyect: Art & Health

Abstract

In this work, a contemporary artistic education program for people with early dementia is presented. The assumptions on which the design of the program content was based and the organization of the activities included therein are described. Dementia was not an impediment to participate in the program, which was an opportunity for creativity, learning, enjoyment, and communication. A high level of participant commitment in the proposed activities was observed as well as great interest to learn new things. We also observed the participants’ satisfaction with their results and during the creative process. The artistic activities not only reinforced the feelings of capacity of the participants with early dementia but also transmitted a positive image of them. To facilitate access to art and artistic education to people with early dementia can contribute to enforcing their rights and to improving the care system. In view of the results of this experience, we consider that art should be a part of caring for people with dementia, as artistic activities can extend the cognitive and emotional resources of the people who participate in them. These activities can provide them with new opportunities to learn, to develop skills, to share their ideas and the results of their work with other people, and to intensely enjoy their involvement in a creative process.