Art Therapy for Older Adults with Dementia: Heuristic Reflection and Strategy of Clinical Practice
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Author
Webb, Anna
Date
2020
Degree
Master of Arts in Art Therapy
Abstract
Dementia is a progressive disease, and currently, there is no available cure. Approximately 5.8
million Americans have dementia, and it had been estimated that this number would increase to
14 million by 2050. People suffering from dementia not only experienced cognitive decline, but
were also faced with anxiety, depression, apathy, and other problems related to the Later
Adulthood stage of life. While there was no remedy, a variety of treatments had been used to
slow down the disease's onset and progress. Studies had shown that art therapy could increase
the well-being and life satisfaction of people suffering from dementia; however, more research
was still needed to recognize the characteristics of art therapy interventions that were effective
with the population. This arts-based heuristic research study explored the elements and effects of
six diverse art therapy interventions that encompassed the whole spectrum of the Expressive
Therapies Continuum and the use of diverse art media and techniques. The research was based
on the art therapist's personal experience of working with older adults with dementia and her
reflections from that work. The researcher's personal journal, with recorded observations of the
sessions and photographs of completed art interventions, was used to facilitate further
understanding. Emergent themes and patterns were consolidated into a proposal of six new art
directives that this researcher recognized as the most engaging and appropriate for older adults
with dementia.