Stronger together: learning from an interdisciplinary dementia, arts and well-being network (DA&WN)

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Arts and Health
• Dementia Care Research

Background:

• A 12-month interdisciplinary project, the Dementia, Arts and Wellbeing Network (DA&WN), involved clinicians, academics, artists, and individuals with lived experience of dementia.
• The project featured four workshops focusing on dance, visual art, theatre, and music to explore dementia and wellbeing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate tacit knowledge regarding wellbeing in dementia through an interdisciplinary, arts-based approach.
• To foster collaboration and participatory research involving people with dementia and their carers.

Main Methods:

• Action-based learning and research approach.
• Guided activities, reflective group discussions, and visual documentation.
• Baseline and follow-up questionnaires to assess outcomes.

Main Results:

• Established new collaborations among diverse network members.
• Facilitated changes in creative practices for participating artists.
• Enabled active and sustained involvement of people with dementia and carers in participatory research and arts opportunities.

Conclusions:

• The participatory and inclusive workshop model is effective for enhancing interdisciplinary activities in dementia care.
• This approach can improve wellbeing and engagement for individuals living with dementia.
• Further consideration of such models is recommended for dementia care development.