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Dementia and the Arts

Sharing Practice, Developing Understanding and Enhancing Lives

Sebastian Crutch, Janette Junghaus, and Charles Harrison

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for people interested in dementia care. You might be living with a dementia, helping to care or support someone who is, are an artist or healthcare practitioner currently working or thinking about working in the dementia and arts field, or a student, researcher or commissioner trying to understand the role of arts-based practices in dementia care,. You can use the hashtag #DementiaArtsLearn to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Seeing the dementias differently through the arts and seeing the arts differently through the dementias
How can moments be understood, experienced and measured?
Creating Common Ground: The arts, equality and dementia
Language & Communication: How can we change the conversation?

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Reviews summary

Dementia and the arts: understanding, practice, and connection

According to learners, this course is an absolutely fantastic and eye-opening experience, offering groundbreaking insights into how arts can profoundly impact individuals living with dementia. Students consistently praise the passionate and knowledgeable instructors, noting that course materials, including videos, are high quality and easy to follow. It provides a solid foundation for those new to the field, offering actionable strategies and fostering a compassionate shift in perspective. The interdisciplinary approach and focus on person-centered care are highly appreciated. While some advanced professionals desired more in-depth therapeutic techniques, the course is highly recommended for both healthcare professionals and family members seeking a holistic view.

Discussions vary in quality and participant activity.

"The forum discussions were also very lively and supportive."

"The forum discussions were hit or miss, depending on the participants."

Emphasizes a broad, person-centered approach.

"The interdisciplinary approach was particularly strong, bringing together perspectives from arts, healthcare, and research."

"The course provided a compassionate and holistic view of dementia. It emphasized dignity and person-centered care, which I greatly appreciated."

"The variety of contributors ensured diverse perspectives."

"I found the module on language particularly thought-provoking, changing the conversation around dementia."

Lecturers are highly knowledgeable and engaging.

"The instructors were passionate and knowledgeable."

"The course materials, especially the videos, were high quality and easy to follow."

"The quality of the materials and the expertise of the educators were top-notch. They made complex topics accessible."

"The production quality was high, and the pacing was perfect."

Offers tangible methods for real-world application.

"The examples provided were inspiring and practical. It genuinely changed my perspective and gave me actionable strategies for my work."

"As a family caregiver, I found the modules on communication and creating meaningful moments incredibly helpful."

"I loved the focus on practical application and the real-life stories. This is a must for anyone involved in dementia care."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

Changes understanding of dementia through arts.

"This course was absolutely fantastic. The insights into how arts can profoundly impact individuals living with dementia were groundbreaking."

"It genuinely changed my perspective and gave me actionable strategies for my work as an occupational therapist."

"A truly eye-opening experience... It validated many of my own experiences and offered new ways to connect with my mother."

"This course transformed my understanding of dementia. It presented the condition not just as a deficit but through the lens of potential."

Strong for beginners; less depth for advanced learners.

"My only minor critique is that some parts felt a bit high-level, and I would have liked more specific case studies for different stages of dementia."

"It sometimes felt like a broad overview rather than diving deep into specific therapeutic techniques. Good for awareness, less for direct skill-building."

"As someone with a background in arts therapy, I found it a bit basic. It's excellent for beginners, but I was hoping for more advanced methodologies."

"Overall, it broadened my understanding but didn't provide as many practical tools as I had hoped for."

Career center

Learners who complete Dementia and the Arts: Sharing Practice, Developing Understanding and Enhancing Lives will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 21 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Dementia and the Arts: Sharing Practice, Developing Understanding and Enhancing Lives.

Dementia Beyond Drugs

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Challenges the traditional approach to dementia care and argues for a more holistic and person-centered approach. It is written by experts in the field and valuable resource for anyone who is interested in improving the quality of life for people with dementia.

Dementia Beyond Drugs, Second Edition: Changing the...

Kindle Edition

The Busy Caregiver's Guide to Advanced Alzheimer...

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Provides a comprehensive overview of dementia, including its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and caregiving. It is written by experts in the field and valuable resource for anyone who is caring for someone with dementia.

Dementia and the Arts

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Dementia and the arts: understanding, practice, and connection

Career center

Reading list

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