The psychological efficacy of arts interventions for early-stage dementia

The arts, in one form or another, have been with us for thousands of years—from early cave paintings and figurines, the embellishment of tools and ceremonies welcoming the sun, to present day galleries, arts training programmes and stage performances—those involved in the arts have sought to make the ordinary special through interpretation, enactment, and active participation. My presentation today will examine some of the principal components of the arts and link these to arts programmes in dementia care in order to better appreciate their potential importance as psychologically valuable interventions.