Reawakening the Mind

Evaluation of Arts 4 Dementia’s London Arts Challenge in 2012

Arts interventions to re-energise and inspire people

in the early stages of dementia and their carers

www.arts4dementia.org.uk/reawakening-the-mind-report

Reawakening the Mind• Terms of Reference–Museum of Modern Art, Meet Me:

Making Art Available for People with Dementia (New York 2009)

–World Alzheimer Report, The Benefits of Early Diagnosis and Intervention, 2011

–World Alzheimer Report, Overcoming the Stigma of Dementia, 2012

– APPGD, Unlocking diagnosis: The key to improving the lives of people with dementia (July 2012)

A4D’s London Arts Challenge in 2012

• Art (Museums & Galleries) Kenwood House The Wallace Collection Art on the Angel Canal Boat Dulwich Picture Gallery, National Portrait Gallery Photographers’ Gallery Museum of Brands (media)

• Dance Rambert Dance Company Fergus Early, Green Candle Dance Bisakha Sarker and Akademi South Asian Dance UK at the Bull Theatre

• Drama and Poetry Tricycle Theatre (scriptwriting and drama) Prince of Wales Theatre Seta White at Leighton House (scriptwriting and drama) Poetry with Cheryl Moskowitz (two projects) at Putney Library

• Music Prince of Wales Theatre Kokila Gillett at Cadogan Hall

‘The London Arts Challenge is encouraging people in the early stages of dementia to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as Arts 4 Dementia, we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in innovative arts activity.’ Lord Coe

Culture and Health Framework

• A4D or Arts Organisation education team contacts.

• Local memory service/clinic/community mental

health team, Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK, Admiral

nurse, Care Services, who contact

• Person and carer keen to participate, who contact

• A4D or Arts Org, who records participants’ details.

Reawakening the Mind

The ideal A4D Model

• Weekly workshops.

• Led by one workshop leader

• 2-3 volunteers – specialists in the art form

• 6-8 PWD, 6-8 Carers

• [A4D evaluator]

Reawakening the Mind

Reawakening the MindIncreased Confidence Art Dance Drama Music TOTAL92% 74% 100% 100% 95%

Increased CreativityArt Dance Drama Music TOTAL91% 95% 100% 100% 95%

Reawakening the Mind

Reawakening the MindEnhanced Cognitive Functioning

Art Dance Drama Music Total Benefit93% 93% 96% 90% 94% 1+ days82% 86% 82% 90% 84% 2+ days80% 86% 75% 90% 80% 3+ days50% 79% 61% 80% 60% 1 week+ 7% 7% 4% 10% 6% No effect

Reawakening the MindQuality of Life Impact

91% with dementia felt better in themselves84% reviving creative skills81% more confident75% more energetic75% keener to socialise73% developing new skills

Reawakening the Mind

Reawakening the Mind

Reawakening the Mind< Connect > • All participants with dementia now feel less isolated, have groups of

friends, are restored to active creative sociable life, keen to return for more workshops.

• 90% will keep in touch with others on their courses• Most Arts organisations plan to continue A4D projects and have local

memory age and care services for participant referral through the A4D website.

• Our A4D Friends group plans to continue monthly activities at arts venues.

< Be Active >• 99% feel more fulfilled through their creative achievement• 89% feel more confident. The remaining 11% were not in the early

stages of dementia, but valued the stimulation.

Reawakening the Mind< Take Notice >• 97% see that engaging in arts activity overrides memory

worries and that their creative skills are vibrant.• 99% see that continuing arts activity will enrich their lives

< Keep Learning >• 40 arts facilitators, workshop leaders, 11 volunteer arts

students, four A4D members attended A4D’s Dementia UK training

• 84% feel they have learned new skills• 99% will continue to develop their art wherever they can.

Reawakening the Mind< Give >• Carers – young and old - found that arts

activities offer a constructive way for them to preserve a fulfilling, active life with their partners in the community. ‘You’re thinking and not worrying.’

• Arts organisations plan to offer training sessions for carers

• Volunteers aim to set up their own A4D practices.

www.arts4dementia.org.uk