Reminiscence Arts to improve the quality of life of people with
dementia
The care of older people in this country has
been under the spotlight with reports produced by the Care Quality
Commission, Age UK and others, highlighting failings in the current
health and care system. Issues such as lack of dignity, social
isolation and poor quality of life are key concerns, particularly
for those people living with dementia. Based on the National
Dementia Strategy there are over 12,000 older people living with
dementia in Lambeth and Southwark and more than 100,000 across the
whole of London.
A new programme led by Age Exchange aims to improve the quality
of life of over 6,000 older people living with dementia across
Lambeth and Southwark, through the implementation of an intensive
programme combing reminiscence and participatory arts practice, to
be delivered in care homes, hospitals and community settings across
Southwark and Lambeth.
The three year programme 'Reminiscence Arts and Dementia - Impact
on Quality of Life (RADIQL)' will involve reminiscence arts
practitioners working to engage participants in arts and
reminiscence activities using a range of stimuli such as: music,
dance, museum artefacts, sensory materials, as well as photography
and film.
The intervention aims to improve mood and self-esteem and reduce
levels of isolation, unhappiness and depression. The activities -
which may be in a group, or one to one sessions - will promote
social interaction and introduce creativity into the everyday lives
of carers and older people. In addition, the project will provide
activities in Healthy Ageing Cafés, a support group for carers, and
on-going mentoring and training for carers in reminiscence and arts
based methodology.
A formal evaluation by King's College London and Royal Holloway
University of London will compare the impact on a group of
participants against a control group - using recognised metrics to
measure mood, behaviour and psychological disturbance and quality
of life. The evaluation will consider the benefits of arts and
reminiscence activity to older participants with dementia. The aim
is to evidence the impact on quality of life and also the cost
effectiveness of such interventions.
RADIQL has been developed following consultation with senior level
nursing staff at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, the
dementia units at, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust,
and local GPs. The programme also has the backing of Alzheimer's
Lambeth and Southwark, who have helped shape the outreach
elements.
The initiative has been funded with a grant of £595,500 in line
with our ambitions to improve the health and wellbeing of the
population of Lambeth and Southwark. The initiative also fits with
our focus on mental ill health and treating the 'whole'
person.
Following the initial two years of practice, and informed by the
evaluation, Age Exchange plan to create a new professional role of
Reminiscence and Creative Carer as part of plans to embed the new
approach across SE London and more widely.