MESOC Serapeum | Where culture meets AI

Id		756
Author		Dadswell A., Bungay H., Wilson C., Munn-Giddings C.
Title		The impact of participatory arts in promoting social relationships for older people within care homes
Reference		Dadswell A., Bungay H., Wilson C., Munn-Giddings C.; The impact of participatory arts in promoting social relationships for older people within care homes ;Perspectives in Public Health vol:140 issue: 5 page:286.0
Link to article		https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85086119768&doi=10.1177%2f1757913920921204&partnerID=40&md5=488669de8bd24b34b4f406b8a823a586
Abstract		Aims: Loneliness and social isolation negatively affect wellbeing and quality of life. Despite the proximity of others, older people living in care homes often experience loneliness and social isolation. The impact of participatory arts on wellbeing is widely acknowledged; however, relational impacts have received less attention. This article explores the impact of participatory arts in care homes on the social relationships between older people and older people and care staff. Methods: ‘Creative Journeys’, an initiative led by Essex County Council, provides opportunities for older people living in care homes to participate in arts activities. In this study, three arts organisations (reminiscence arts, seated dance, and orchestral music participation) delivered participatory arts in three homes. Stage 1 of the research comprised mixed-methods case studies in each home. Stage 2 involved an online survey across care homes in Essex to provide a broader perspective, with follow-up interviews in three further homes, and a focus group with the arts organisations. Findings presented here focus on the qualitative data around the impact of participatory arts on the social relationships in care homes between older people and older people and care staff. Results: Participatory arts enhanced social relationships between older people and between older people and care staff in care homes. Through engagement in shared experiences leading to increased communication and interaction, participatory arts facilitated social connectedness between residents, and changed the relationship dynamics between older people and care staff, thus promoting reciprocity. Conclusion: Participatory arts enable older people to express themselves creatively, and make meaningful contributions to their social relationships. Policy makers and those working in the care sector should consider including participatory arts as an integral and necessary component of quality care for older people living in care homes. © Royal Society for Public Health 2020.

Results:

Candidate transition variables
Engagement in shared experiences leading to increased communication and interaction has the potential to address social isolation in particular. .
Because then it builds stronger friendships. .
(Survey respondent) The closeness and camaraderie that developed through the participatory arts built social connections, for example, some residents in stage 1 described their new group identity as being a member of a club: Yes, its made it more a communal feeling. .
I think that definitely benefitted with certain friendships, because friendships have grown here. .
Through engagement in shared experiences leading to increased communication and interaction, participatory arts facilitated social connectedness between residents, and changed the relationship dynamics between older people and care staff, thus promoting reciprocity. .
Arts also facilitated interactions and enhanced social capital, helping to strengthen existing relationships and build new ones. .
Our findings show that participatory arts promoted social connectedness through facilitating collective enjoyment, supporting and encouraging others, developing a sense of camaraderie and community and strengthening friendships. .
Conclusion: Participatory arts enable older people to express themselves creatively, and make meaningful contributions to their social relationships. .
CONCLUSION Participatory arts engage older people, enable them to express themselves creatively, connect with others including care home staff and provide the opportunity for them to make meaningful contributions to their social relationships in care homes. .
This could be delivered as part of arts programmes from external arts organisations, who should aim to leave a lasting legacy through their work to promote sustainability. .
Finally, arts enabled older people of all capacities to engage in meaningful social participation and make a valued contribution to their relationships and communities, indicating the potential of participatory arts to alleviate loneliness and social isolation experienced in care homes. .
In addition, residents with cognitive impairments were able to express themselves through the arts, which may make it easier for them to engage with others. .
Our findings, however, showed that the shared experience of participatory arts, promoted interactions within sessions and provided new topics of conversation for ongoing interactions. .
In terms of relationships between residents and staff, participatory arts allowed opportunities to share meaningful experiences and spend time together beyond care routines. .
A number of mediating factors that could be enablers or barriers to the impact of participatory arts on social relationships were also identified, including factors relating to the care context, such as the care home capacity and culture, the creative process itself, and the approach of the arts facilitator, which are described elsewhere.26 Engagement in shared experiences Social relationships were facilitated through bringing people together for a shared experience, including residents who did not usually participate in group activities: I t brings together residents that would not normally choose to do other activities and builds friendships within the home. .
The multiple data collection methods informed the overall understanding of how the arts impacted on social relationships in care homes, allowing for a more holistic view of the impacts and the mechanisms through which participatory arts can build social relationships. .
Results: Participatory arts enhanced social relationships between older people and between older people and care staff in care homes. .
Responses to the survey also indicated how participatory arts provided opportunities for residents to support and praise each other, including those who may not be directly involved in the activity: They appear to enjoy compliments within the peer group. .
In addition, new topics of conversation were initiated during the activities, sometimes about the arts themselves while other times the arts facilitator would encourage everyone to share ideas, memories and stories from their lives: I saw how it affected peoples relationships when they were talking about the music or the way theyd been encouraged to be involved in the discussions about lyrics and songs or what the actual programmes would involve. .
In terms of social relationships, it has been found that participatory arts programmes provided opportunities for meaningful social contact, support and friendship, improved relationships between people living in care homes, and fostered a better sense of social cohesion and community for those with dementia in care homes.22 .
RESULTS The data showed that involvement in participatory arts helped to address issues of loneliness and social isolation by promoting the social relationships between older people and between older people and staff in care homes. .
(Stage 1 staff member) DISCUSSION The findings demonstrate the impact of participatory arts on the social relationships between older people and between older people and staff in care homes, with the potential to address issues of loneliness and social isolation. .
Furthermore, through the participatory arts, residents gained confidence, staff learnt new skills to engage residents, and both felt more comfortable to interact informally and on a personal level with each other. .
Further research into this area could look specifically at older peoples feelings of social connectedness and reciprocal relationships within care homes, and how participatory arts can specifically target, encourage and promote these to address loneliness and social isolation..
(Stage 1 arts facilitator) This suggests how participatory arts can promote reciprocity in relationships within care homes whereby residents are able to make a contribution by helping others. .
Age exchange used reminiscence arts, theatre and story-telling to explore memories, stories and experiences. .
It helps when we have entertainers in as it can free up some time. .
These enjoyable shared experiences and quality time also promoted staff satisfaction and morale: Yes staff do enjoy the activities. .

ARTICLE - CANDIDATE TRANSITION VARIABLES

Results: