‘Dementia link to sudden low blood pressure and dizziness’
October 13, 2024
A world-first research project measuring the impact of using art to provide cognitive stimulation and methods of communication and self-expression for people living with dementia is already having a profound effect on its attendees.
Participants in the Alzheimer’s Society Art Group at the Bluecoat in Liverpool and in community venues in Prescot and Formby have reported seeing a reduction in behavioural symptoms of dementia, greater communication and improved behaviour in those with dementia.
Their carers have also experienced reduced stress levels and improved confidence as a result of attending the groundbreaking project, which is one of several arts-led studies commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Society with funding from Liverpool, Knowsley and Sefton councils.
The 18-month pilot, which is due to end next March, looks at non-medical interventions for those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Operating in six-month blocks, it offers a number of artistic groups ranging from dance and music to movement and wellbeing.
Attendees at the Alzheimer’s Society Art Group are full of praise for what the project, which is two-thirds of the way through being completed, has already achieved.
Helena Lang, 69, cares for her husband Dave, 73. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s nearly six years ago.
She said: “The group has been a real eye opener in terms of letting us see the opportunities that we can enjoy together.
“A volunteer has also worked with Dave, which has given him his own bit of independence away from me. We even enjoy the anticipation of going to the group during the train trip into town. It all adds to the quality of life.”
Bec Fearon, Head of Participation at the Bluecoat, said: “When the Alzheimer’s Society approached us with the idea, we were excited at the potential benefits that such a study could bring to the service users and their carers, but even we have been amazed at the results.
“For the person with Dementia, the group has provided an opportunity to channel both their frustrations and their creativity into a positive outlet. Carers have reported seeing a reduction in stress levels both during and after the sessions.
“There are also benefits for the carer themselves. It gives them the chance to talk to other people who are in the same position, but also allows them to spend quality time with the person with dementia in a safe space where they don’t need to worry about people’s reactions to the sometimes unpredictable behaviour associated with the condition.”
Fine artist Bernadette O’Toole, who leads the group, agreed that the positives extended far beyond the classes. She said: “While the service users love engaging in art and using different types of materials, they also relish the experience of being in an art gallery and looking at artwork.
“It has opened up a new experience that they and their carers can enjoy together, and they have gone on to visit other art galleries as a result.”
The group is the brainchild of Anne-Marie Cagliarini, Locality Manager for Merseyside and the Isle of Man at the Alzheimer’s Society. She said: “We know that when we successfully engage a person with the condition in an activity it promotes awareness and increases lucidity, and that remains after the activity has ended.
“It is only short-lived and the extent of its effect depends on the individual, but you can see the spirits being lifted. It also makes the carers’ life a bit easier for a while. They are getting a bit of that person back.
“The core idea of the Maintaining Skills™ group, which I set up when I first joined the Alzheimer’s Society, is to introduce the person with dementia to something that may engage them, and the Art Group, along with the Dance and Movement, Reading Together, Singing for the Brain®, Music and Wellbeing, and CrISP (Carers Information and Support Programme) evolved from that.
“In order to know what will engage them, it is really important that we work with the individual to get to know them so that when they visit the group we can ensure that they have a selection of activities that are of interest to them.
“When it came to setting up the visual arts project, the Bluecoat team were the first port of call because of what they have achieved in the Merseyside area.
“This is a research project, so we needed to have the right people on board.
“The Bluecoat has the skills and expertise in delivering art, while we have the expertise of working with people with dementia, and it was about making sure that the facilitators could use their experience in helping people to express themselves.
“For me personally, the Bluecoat is monumental within Liverpool. Everyone recognises what it stands for.”
At the end of the 18-month pilot, which is split into six-month cohorts during which participants can engage in each of the different projects, the Alzheimer’s Society is tasked with producing a scientific report measuring outcomes.
The expectation, said Anne-Marie, is that the results will prove that when people are engaged in specific therapies they need less medical intervention.
“Obviously this could have a huge financial impact on health and social services, as well as reducing the need for unnecessary hospital admissions and the use of emergency services,” she said.
“We have a limited number of spaces available for the last course which starts in September, so would urge anyone who is interested to get in touch.
“The Bluecoat is also staging a free exhibition, Anchor I and Anchor II, showcasing the work created by the groups, which will take place on September 20-21, and we would encourage people to go along and see what can be achieved by people with no prior experience of art.
“Our hope is that at the end of the pilot period we can generate enough funding for the projects to continue, because we really can’t let this go. We know it works. Obviously we would like to tweak it so people aren’t on a six-month rota but we would like to see this continue so it doesn’t just end.”
For more information the Alzheimer’s Society research or participating in the project, contact Beth Luxmoore on 01925 572256 / 07738 739547 or email her at beth.luxmoore@alzheimers.org.uk
A Memory Walk organised by the Alzheimer’s Society to raise funds and awareness of dementia will take place at Aintree Racecourse at 11am on Sunday, September 8. For more information visit memorywalk.org.uk or call 0845 3060 989.
For example, Peter Stranack, 71, a retired Public Affairs Manager for Ford, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease six years ago.
His wife, Pat, 66, says: “Over the years, Peter and I have been really active – running in 35 marathons all over the world. When Peter retired, we thought we would be able to travel all over the place and have some fun after all those years of work.
“But when he started forgetting things, our children and I became more and more worried about him and insisted that he go to the doctors. After lots of tests and investigations, Mossley Hill Hospital diagnosed Peter with Alzheimer’s.
“When the initial distress of the diagnosis had subsided, we decided that we would still enjoy life as much as possible, so contacted the Alzheimer’s Society to see what they had on offer. When they suggested we join some of their arts groups, we readily agreed.
“The arts group at the Bluecoat has proved a fantastic outlet for Peter. By the look on his face and in his eyes when he is engaging in the art group, you can tell that there is something going on, and the staff there have been amazing.
“It actually enables us to have a conversation through the painting. We also love looking around the Bluecoat itself and seeing all the fascinating exhibitions.”
The benefits of art are also extending beyond the class and into the home-life of the couple, according to Pat.
She says: “Peter went through a period of not being well. At first I gave him medicine to calm him down but it made him upset so I encouraged him to sit down and paint instead, and that relaxed him.
“It also allows him to engage with our two children and four grandchildren again, because they all sit around the table painting. It gives them something they can do with Peter, a common interest that they can enjoy together.
“It is about putting a smile on the face of this awful illness and having fun with it, and that is what has been achieved through the project.”
Peter says: “I’ve loved attending the arts project, and I’m really proud of the collage we’ve produced detailing our lives. It gives me an activity I can share with my family, which is really important to me.”
Source Click Liverpool