A Taxonomy of Arts Interventions for People With Dementia

Cousins, Emily; Tischler, Victoria; Garabedian, Claire; Dening, Tom

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The current evidence base for the arts and dementia has several limitations relating to the description, explanation, communication and simplification of arts interventions. Research addressing these challenges must be multi-disciplinary, taking account of humanities and science perspectives. Consequently, this research aimed to produce a taxonomy, or classification, of arts interventions for people with dementia as a contribution to this growing field.
Research Design and Methods: This research was underpinned by taxonomy and realist methodology. Taxonomy, the science of classification, produces a common language to name, define and describe the world around us. Realist theory explains how interventions ‘work’ and produce their effects. The main findings in this paper were generated from a case study and a Delphi study.
Results: An arts and dementia taxonomy of twelve dimensions was developed: Art Form, Artistic elements, Artistic focus, Artistic materials, Arts activity, Arts approaches, Arts facilitators, Arts location, Competencies, Complementary arts, Intervention context, Principles.
Discussion and Implications: Arts interventions can be classified according to their contexts, mechanisms and outcomes. A range of stakeholders could benefit from the taxonomy, including people with dementia, artists, practitioners, carers, care staff, funders, commissioners, researchers and academics. Language relating to the arts and dementia can be adapted depending on the audience. This is a foundational model requiring further development within the arts and dementia community.

Citation

Cousins, E., Tischler, V., Garabedian, C., & Dening, T. (2020). A Taxonomy of Arts Interventions for People With Dementia. Gerontologist, 60(1), 124-134. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz024

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 25, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Mar 6, 2019
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Deposit Date: Feb 4, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 7, 2020
• Journal: The Gerontologist
• Print ISSN: 0016-9013
• Electronic ISSN: 1758-5341
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 60
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 124-134
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz024
• Keywords: Classification; Framework; Realist; Methodology; Mechanisms; Dimensions; Alzheimer’s Disease
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1515913
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article-abstract/60/1/124/5370312?redirectedFrom=fulltext
• Additional Information: This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in The Gerontologist following peer review. The version of record Emily Cousins, Victoria Tischler, Claire Garabedian, Tom Dening, A Taxonomy of Arts Interventions for People With Dementia, The Gerontologist, , gnz024, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz024 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz024