Creativity and dementia – policy and practice

Dementia in Scotland 2012Thistle Glasgow Hotel18 June 2012

Des Kelly OBEExecutive DirectorNational Care Forum

Creative Homes - summary

1. Arts and excellence in care settings 2. What we found3. Sharing best practice 4. Inspiration, involvement, motivation

1. Arts and excellence in care settings

• NCF published a statement of best practice in person-centred dementia care in April 2007

• Co-founder of My Home Life and Members of the DAA

• Creative Homes (with NAPA and The Baring Foundation) – Nov 2011

Arts and excellence in caresettings

Arts and excellence in care settings

“When you have met one person with dementia, you have met one person with dementia.”

Professor Tom Kitwood

Arts and excellence in care

Essential elements of excellence:• Choice and control• Good relationships• Spending time purposefullyAnd…• Organisational and service factors

2. What we found

What we found

•A wide range of art activity takes place in the best care homes•In 89% of cases initiated by staff•23% artists and 20% volunteer involvement•In 75% of cases dementia-related purpose

What we found

•33% weekly and 44% 1 to 4 weeks•32% of participants were 100+ years•28% small group work and 8% one-to-one

3. Sharing best practice

“Although good care may be a necessary condition for good quality of life, it is possible to provide good care without residents experiencing good quality of life.” Edelman et al 2005

Sharing best practice

• ‘A few of my favourite things’ – the use of film (Central and Cecil)

• Partnership and the visual arts (RMBI)

• ‘Singing for the brain’ (St Monica)• ‘Tell your story’ (Somerset Care)

Sharing best practice

4. Inspiration, involvement, motivation

Inspiration, involvement, motivation

• Art inspires – residents, staff and others

• Art for everyday• Multiple benefits• Involving residents, families and

friends

Inspiration, involvement, motivation

• Motivating staff• Links to the community• Changing perceptions of care homes

Be careful when making assumptions

The Guardian, 23 November 2011

And finally…

“When people not used to speaking are heard by those not used to listening, real changes can be made.”

John O’Brien