A new program developed by the University of South Australia, Flinders University, and the University of Adelaide aims to address the social needs of people living with dementia and their carers. The initiative, funded by the Global Arts and Health Alliance, offers a six-week course where arts sessions for people with dementia run alongside wellbeing sessions for their carers.
The program was designed in collaboration with families affected by dementia. Dr Carolyn Murray, a researcher at UniSA, highlighted the importance of this dual approach: "One of the most challenging parts of dementia is connecting with others – not just for the person diagnosed, but also for the family members who care for them," Dr. Murray says.
She added that both groups often face social isolation due to uncertainty about participation in community activities. "They want connection with people who understand their experience and they want opportunities to do meaningful things that suit their abilities, but they're cautious about adding stress, even when both would benefit from doing something different."
Dr Murray emphasized what sets this program apart: "What makes this program different is that it's been co-designed with families living with dementia and an artist. This co-design alongside having co-researchers from occupational therapy, social work and psychology brought diverse perspectives and experiences into the co-design process."
She noted that matching activities to participants' needs from the start helped foster a safe environment: "The activities are well matched to participants from the outset, and with the art and wellbeing sessions running side by side, people with dementia feel safe knowing their carer is close, while carers can be confident that the person they care for is also having an enriching experience."
Dr Murray reported positive outcomes: "We found that it was this sense of closeness that allowed both groups to relax, participate fully, and rediscover a bit of confidence and enjoyment."
Dementia affects memory, mood, behavior, and thinking. While it is more common among older adults, it is not considered a normal part of aging. It has become the leading cause of death in Australia. Globally there are 57 million people living with dementia each year; almost 10 million new cases are diagnosed annually. Unpaid carers provide significant support—about 700,000 in the UK; nearly 12 million in the US; and over 140,000 in Australia.
Feedback from participants has been positive. Many carers have expressed interest in similar programs to continue building confidence and social connections.
Dr Murray stated that as cases increase worldwide such initiatives will be increasingly important. She said these programs should continue to be developed collaboratively with those directly affected by dementia to ensure they meet community needs.
