Reimagining Engagement in Dementia Care: Insight From a Community-Based Ukulele Learning Program.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Music Therapy

Background:

• Limited accessible community programs exist for people with neurocognitive disorders or dementia.
• There is a growing need for equitable, person-centered engagement and inclusion for this population.
• Stigma and deficit-based narratives often marginalize individuals with dementia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a 12-week ukulele learning program co-led by a person with dementia.
• To advance health equity by promoting inclusion, empowerment, and social connection through music.
• To offer a scalable, community-driven model for enhancing quality of life and health outcomes for people with dementia.

Main Methods:

• A university-community partnership developed a 12-week ukulele program.
• The program welcomed diverse cultural backgrounds and cognitive abilities in an accessible environment.
• Qualitative reflections from program leads and team members were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: confronting stigma, fostering social inclusion, creating shared joy for care partners, and encouraging mutual learning.
• The program challenged deficit-based narratives and affirmed the strengths of participants.
• Participants found the initiative transformative in advancing health equity.

Conclusions:

• The ukulele program effectively promoted inclusion, empowerment, and social connection for people with dementia.
• This initiative offers a scalable model for community-based engagement that enhances well-being and relationships.
• The program successfully challenged stigma and advanced health equity by affirming participant strengths.