Art and Dementia

Written by Harvey Cross

As of 2020, there were around 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this number is predicted to rise to 1.6 million by 2040. This year, 209,600 more will develop dementia, meaning  that one person will develop the disease every three minutes. These statistics are made particularly shocking because dementia is such a terrible disease, affecting both the victim and their family, while also being totally incurable. That being said, there is valid evidence to show that certain activities may lessen dementia’s severe effects, namely, forms of art therapy have been shown to have a significant and positive impact on dementia sufferers. 

Fuchsia Flower by Katsuko Keating , 94, former resident of Juniper Village ; Photography Elinor Carucci

By being artistic in some way every now and then, or even actually attending art therapy itself, research has frequently shown the mental health benefits of artistic expression as a safe and creative way to release emotions, however, it seems the therapy may also provide very useful benefits to individuals suffering with dementia. These benefits range from an increase in brain stimulation, improvement in memory and communication skills, and providing a great sense of achievement through creation. As we age, our brain stimulation progressively declines the older we become, and while this process is not intrinsically linked with the development of dementia, it is believed that a lack of brain stimulation can make the disease much worse for those afflicted with it and lead to further deterioration. Therefore, art therapy in its simplest form can already be a great and fun way of keeping the mind active from the comfort of the sofa, all the while delaying the effects of dementia by stimulating the brain. 

Cupcake by Rose Mary Griffiths , 86, resident of Juniper Village ; Photography Elinor Carucci

Furthermore, engaging with different or unusual types of artwork challenges the mind to expand and look at something from a different point of view which directly stimulates the certain areas of the brain involved with cognitive and communication skills, both being areas particularly attacked by the worse forms of the disease. In fact, professionals like Bruce L. Miller, M.D., professor of neurology and director of the Memory and Aging Centre at the University of California, believe that art therapy is actually the perfect way for those suffering with dementia to express themselves, he explains how patients experiencing progressive loss of language begin to find that  “the visual side of their brain stops being inhibited by the verbal side and that allows their visual creativity to be released”.

Three Red Cardinals by Carol Corby, 80, resident of Juniper Village ; Photography Elinor Carucci

While the aforementioned benefits of art therapy on dementia are all certainly good, surely one of the most important benefits that the therapy can provide has to be the ability to improve memory recollection. Asking an individual who suffers from dementia to draw or paint an event from their past provides them with a way to physically display all the information they can recall at the time out in front of them, and although it is unlikely this will bring back a whole memory, it may help the individual to recall further aspects about it and assist them in remembering more than they might have before. As well as this, the artwork becomes a physical reminder of a certain event that can be kept and displayed from that point on.

Childhood Pony by Chiyoko Lee, 88, resident of Juniper Village ; Photography Elinor Carucci

A national dementia art program in Colorado known as ‘Memories in the Making’ found that when the artists involved were asked about the meaning behind the art they made, many recalled whole stories about the events that inspired their artworks, such as riding a pony on the beaches of Japan, getting free cupcakes at a restaurant, and making flowers in an art class. The therapy might even aid in the creation of new memories, as the Bangor University organised ‘Dementia and Imagination’ art groups discovered when they displayed the artwork of Dementia sufferers involved with the groups at a celebration event and exhibition, the individuals who had made the art remembered which was theirs and fondly recalled the exhibition they had been in.

Wild Horse by Chiyoko Lee, 88, resident of Juniper Village ; Photography Elinor Carucci

So what is next for art therapy and dementia? The same ‘Dementia and Imagination’ research study suggests that frequent and varied research is the answer to seeing art therapy become more commonly available to those suffering from the disease. It is hoped that the NHS may also see its potential and finance some trials in its specialised units, it is not beyond the realms of imagination to believe that committed volunteers with an interest in art might one day be trained to provide this therapy across the UK. At the moment though, the relationship between art therapy and dementia is a new, but promising field, which may uncover great rewards if even more benefits are found on top of the ones already discussed, however, it seems that all the individuals with dementia who were involved with the therapy agreed that they really enjoyed creating their artworks, and surely that might be the greatest benefit of all.