What We Do

We liaise with arts organisation education departments, mental health and care teams, and other agencies including the Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK, Dementia UK and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers to set up and facilitate creative projects at arts venues, for people living with dementia in the community and companions; and to facilitate the spread of best practice.

The Problem

"Dementia is one of the biggest challenges our society faces" (Care Services Minister Paul Burstow)

Some 800,000 people in England and Wales, 64,000 Londoners, have been diagnosed with dementia a degenerative brain disorder of which the most common form is Alzheimer’s Disease. Two-thirds live at home for up to a dozen years, struggling with increasing loss of memory, which they are desperate to retain, anxiety and isolation by the perceived stigma surrounding dementia. The stress on them, their partners, families and professional carers is intense.

Artistic Stimulation Empowers People Living with Dementia - Maximises Brain Function

"Engaging in arts activity empowers people living with dementia, and enriches life for them and those around them" (Dr Natalie Ryan, Dementia Research Centre, University College London).

Recent German studies show that two hours' active mental stimulation six days a week slows cognitive decline.

As the creative part of the brain can remain undamaged for years, engaging in arts activity:

Gives life-enhancing new direction for people living at home with dementia, their family and carers.
Brings instant relief from stress and loneliness, elevating mood.
Maximises cognitive function.
Regains sense of self.
Re-energises through social interaction.
Aids communication with family and friends.

Bridging a Vital Gap

Arts activities (practised to successful effect in care settings) are not available in the vital early stages of the disease. To redress the balance and enable people with dementia to live life to the full, A4D sets up:

Educational partnerships which combine arts training for dementia at arts colleges with work experience in the community.
Focussed arts outreach - covering art, comedy, dance, drama, music, photography, poetry and communication - at arts venues around London for people in the early stages of dementia and carers. See What Participants Say
A Best Practice Conference bringing together leaders in arts, dementia, age and care services to establish guidelines for new outreach and present evidence of the benefits of art activity for people living with dementia in the community, and their carers. See Arts Events and Best Practice Conference 2011.

Related Topics Alzheimer's Disease, Comedy, Leighton House Museum, Connect Festival, Joe Bor, Green Candle Dance, Tricycle Theatre, Akademi Indian Dance, Sadler's Wells, Zingaro Duo, Arts 4 Dementia Best Practice Conference, Photographers' Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Cadogan Hall, Poetry and Communication, Kenwood House, Prince of Wales Theatre, Wallace Collection, dementia, Dulwich Picture Gallery

What We Do

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