Novel Approaches to Understanding Creativity and Artistic Appreciation in Dementia (BBC News / Wellcome Open Research)

Summary

The Created Out of Mind initiative comprises scientists, artists, musicians and writers, based at the Wellcome Collection’s “The Hub”, who are engaged in exploring the varied influences of dementia on the whole range of human creativity (and vice versa). This group hopes to further challenge the stigma of dementia, explore unanticipated dimensions of personal resilience in the face of the condition, and promote continued cultural engagement on the part of persons living with dementia.

“We are trying to enrich understanding of the dementias: not just the fact that there are over 100 types, but that people’s experiences will vary from person to person”. Professor Sebastian Crutch, Director of Created Out of Mind.

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Reference

Walsh, F. (2018). Exploring dementia through art and science. London: BBC Health News, May 17^th 2018.

This relates to:

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Reference

Brotherhood, E. Ball, P. [and] Camic, PM. [et al] (2018). Preparatory planning framework for Created Out of Mind: shaping perceptions of dementia through art and science. Wellcome Open Research. November 6^th 2017; 2: 108.

All Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing has written on the role of arts participation in dementia care. The APPG suggests, more broadly, that arts engagement can improve public health, help with self-management, tackle obesogenic environments, improve mental health, promote healthier ageing and help to reduce health inequalities.

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Reference

Creative health: the arts for health and wellbeing. London: All Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing [Crown Publishers], July 1^st 2017.

There is also an Executive Summary, and a briefing for Directors of Public Health.

Critical Gerontology Perspectives

Possibly also of interest:

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Reference

Zeilig, H. (2014). Dementia as a cultural metaphor. Gerontologist. April 2014; 54(2): 258-67.

UK’s First Festival of Theatre and Dementia at the West Yorkshire Playhouse

Possibly of interest, regarding drama / plays:

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Reference

Youngs, I. (2018). Staging my debut play at 71 – with dementia. London: BBC Entertainment and Arts News / BBC Health News, June 9^th 2018.