Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 17, 2011
Visual art dialogues with elderly persons: effects on perceived life situation
1Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Aim:
The investigation was aimed towards constructing a visual art programme for communication with elderly.
Methods:
Pictures of works of art were used in a controlled intervention study. Dialogues were performed with elderly persons (age 82.6 years) at a senior's apartment building. The Wheel Questionnaire parameters structure, motivation, and emotional investment were analysed using ANOVA (mixed model).
Findings:
Significant improvement was found in the visual art group (n = 20) compared with a matched control group (n = 20) over the studied period of time. Communication directions were different in the intervention group compared with the control group. In the intervention group there was an inexhaustible source of topics to be discussed that originated from pictures of works of art. In the control group the dialogues dealt with daily events in the elderly persons' lives. During the final phase of the intervention period it was difficult to find topics of conversation in the control group compared with the intervention group.
Conclusions:
The visual art programme is an example of how the language of works of art could be used for nursing management. The findings show a new way to care for elderly persons that builds upon elderly persons' knowledge and personal experience.
Related Concept Videos
The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Dementia
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Kubler Ross's Stages of Dying
In denial, individuals reject the reality of their condition, often thinking, "This isn't true; I feel fine," as a way to protect themselves from emotional distress. Anger...

