Arts on Prescription: Bringing Creativity Home for People Living with Dementia

A recent study has highlighted the positives of the Arts on Prescription at Home (AoP@Home) program for people living with dementia, showing health, social, and well-being benefits.

Dementia is caused by a range of brain disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease) that can affect a person's memory, thinking and ability to interact socially. An estimated 420,000 Australians currently live with dementia, across diverse care settings including at home in the community and residential care. The lives of people with dementia can be markedly improved with early diagnosis, supportive treatment and rehabilitation to optimise function and well-being.

Arts on prescription (AoP) is a participatory art-based approach that has shown promise for wellbeing and quality of life for people with dementia in both group-based and in-home settings. To support people living with dementia who may find it difficult to attend group-based programs, a revised model of AoP, termed AoP at home (AoP@Home) was devised, where the professional artist delivers eight participatory art sessions in the client’s home.

A recent study evaluated both the impact of the AoP@Home intervention and the feasibility of its implementation within a real-world community aged care setting. Researchers found that all participants reported improvements in overall health and well-being, with notable positives for the person with dementia around social engagement and boosted mood. Additionally, carers also reported benefits from learning about the abilities of the person with dementia and being able to engage in something enjoyable alongside their parent with dementia.

Participants appreciated the personalised approach of the program, noting that it was tailored to their individual interests and abilities. The study also highlighted the importance of the therapeutic relationship between the artist and participants, which fostered enthusiasm and engagement, leading to creative expression and boosted confidence.

Lead author and UNSW Ageing Futures Institute member Dr Claire O'Connor emphasised the importance of making such programs accessible, stating, "our study demonstrates that with the appropriate service development and tapping into available funding models, people living with dementia and their families could be offered programs such as AoP@Home. Programs such as this should be considered as an important complement to other allied health and care services."

Read the full study publication here.