The Creative Dementia Practice Handbook: Arts for Health and Wellbeing

About the Book

This handbook examines why, how and where creative arts can help meet the social, psychological and occupational needs of people living with dementia and their family carers.

Bringing together case studies of music, dance, poetry, digital arts and more, this book explores the core skills needed to co-create inspiring programmes in various settings. Foregrounding the lived experience of people living with dementia and their carers, each chapter showcases best practice, person-centred approaches, core learning points and online resources.

Full of expert information and clear practical guidance, this book is essential reading for students, early career and experienced practitioners seeking to improve health and wellbeing for people living with dementia.

About the Author :
Maria Parsons is the Chief Executive of Creative Dementia Arts Network (CDAN). She has written widely about dementia care and presented at conferences all over the world. Maria was a member of the editorial group of the Journal of Dementia Care for twenty-one years and continues to serve on the Advisory Group. She lives in Bristol. Richard Coaten is a registered dance movement psychotherapist (RDMP) with the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy and is a national and international specialist in non-verbal, movement and dance-based practices with people living with dementia. He is on the editorial board of the peer-reviewed international journal Dementia and sits on the Board of the Creative Dementia Arts Network. He lives in West Yorkshire.

Review :
The Creative Dementia Practice Handbook is a milestone in arts engagement for people living with dementia. Drawing on decades of experience, the authors have distilled academic evidence, lived experience and the professional practice of many artists and therapists who lead this field. Wide ranging, wise and passionate, this book is essential for anyone practicing in the increasingly important field of creative dementia. People with significant memory problems and their carers often experience an existence without any sense of hope or joy. As evidenced by the life affirming chapters of this inspiring book, the power of creativity to enhance the lived experience of such people is beautifully illustrated. I personally commend it to those concerned with ensuring excellence in this field of work. This book is a rich resource for all who engage in the creative arts in dementia care, showcasing excellent practice, practical ideas and positive provocation. An invaluable contribution to a person-centred creative arts approach to health and social care. This book is never superficial, but within its palette it offers colours which I sincerely hope can be utilised. Speaking from my experience of living with dementia for fourteen years, the best "treatments" I have received in this time have been those firmly based around creativity which have given me a range of challenges and rewards. They work - I and many others are the proof and they come with little or no adverse side effects! Creativity is the key to unlock the door to a sense of well-being and here the authors open that door and arm readers entering with values, facts and inspired ideas firmly based on evidence and good practice. The passion of the authors shines through in an impressive and comprehensive journey, which I know will improve professional practice and thus the lives of people affected by dementia. The Creative Dementia Practice Handbook offers a very useful and needed underpinning of the why, how and what next for creative practice in the field of dementia. Spanning research and practice, from imagining, delivery to evaluation and impact, this handbook is sure be an invaluable asset to all those practicing, researching and championing the vital role creativity plays in the lives of people with dementia and their communities. Most importantly, it reflects what is possible when we give people with dementia the right, person-centred opportunities to explore their creativity and what can happen when we prioritise meaningful co-production, which is where so much possibility lies.