Abstract

Given the lack of effective disease-modifying treatments in established dementia, there is a need to focus on maintaining the health and wellbeing of dementia carer and care recipient dyads in the community. An innovative psychosocial intervention involving participatory art was piloted to explore whether the positive benefits identified through participatory art in other settings might be shared by carers and their care recipients living with dementia in the community. Six dyads (one with two carers) from two regions in Sydney (Australia) were enrolled in the “Arts on Prescription @ Home” program. Dyads received eight weekly art sessions delivered in the home facilitated by a professional artist. Evaluation included pre- and post- program questionnaires to measure carer burden and wellbeing, and carer and artist interviews. Carer and artist interviews found that dyads benefited through enhanced social interaction, opportunities to be “in flow” and experience personal growth and achievement, and new dyadic interactions. Measures of carer burden and wellbeing indicated positive changes, but did not reach statistical significance. This pilot program suggests a feasible model for reaching dyads at home with participatory art is possible. The positive outcomes indicate that home-delivered participatory art is a psychosocial intervention worthy of further research.