Promoting Wellness in Older Adults through

Arts-based Innovation

TRO Education Day 27MAR2019

Kelly Murphy, Ph.D., C.Psych.

Psychologist, Baycrest Health Sciences

Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

Adjunct Faculty, York University & Queen’s University

I am eligible to receive royalties

from the commercialization of

ArtontheBrain™

www.learnplaymingle.com

DISCLOSURE

Acknowledgements

Co-Investigators, Collaborators, Research Assistants Aviva Altschuler Walter Wittich Olivier Beauchet Feng Xie Mélanie Beaulieu Monica Bretzlaff Kate Dupuis Liisa Galea Michael Gordon Lynn Hasher David Hogan Elizabeth Howard Navena Lingum Tammy Retalic Jessica Rogan Gillian Rowe Swathi Swaminathan Ala Szczepura Lia Tsotsos

Recreation Need

Chronic health problems negatively affect access to meaningful recreation

Participation in recreation is associated with numerous health benefits in older adults – including those experiencing dementia

Arts & Health in Dementia

http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/04/03/older-adults-and-technology-use/

• Aged 65+, 59% use internet

• Once online, 71% use daily, 82% weekly

Digital Solution

• Learn (history of the artwork & artist)

• Play (word search / puzzle / storytelling)

• Mingle (post ratings, comments, stories)

Delivers fun recreation to older adults through artful play and socialization to promote brain health and wellness.

Screen shots

In Groups In day programs Intergenerational

With a

friend

Enjoy

alone With a caregiver

Ways to Play

PLAY / MINGLE

Creativity

“I feel a sense of wonder. Was the author painting his memory of himself in the past and himself now? Does he wonder how little his life has changed? -- but then see it hasn’t changed that much and yet memories of himself are fading. Or are they fading? Since he captures all of the elements of the clear picture. Makes me think of how I feel about myself at this time of life.” – Research participant, Storytelling Section

Transfer

Research Outcomes

Domain Does the intervention improve

Quality of Life • Psychological well-being • Health-related QoL

Active Living • Social network size • Lifespace • Participation in recreation

Health Resource Utilization • Health, as evidenced by reduced visits

Cognition • Attention • Reasoning • Memory

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03551483

Settings with TRs

Site

Population & Application

Complex Continuing Care – Group Play Palliative Care – Partner Play

Day Program – Group Play

Residents in Long term care – Group Play & Partner Play

TR Feedback Interviews

Emerging Themes: • Increased social interaction • Accessible activity to facilitate • New relationships among participants • Learned new information about participants

Research Outcomes

Domain Does the intervention improve

Quality of Life • Psychological well-being • Health-related QoL

Active Living • Social network size • Lifespace • Participation in recreation

Health Resource Utilization • Health, as evidenced by reduced visits

Cognition • Attention • Reasoning • Memory

Improved Wellness in 86%+

Wellbeing Quality of Life Attention

Site Satisfaction Survey

Activity Option Items Personal Relationship Items

I have enjoyable things to do here on weekends

Another resident here is my close friend

I have enjoyable things to do here evenings People ask for my help or advice

I participated in meaningful activities in the past week

I am invited to do things that are helpful to others

If I want, I can participate in religious activities that have meaning to me

I have opportunity for affection or romance

I have opportunities to spend time with other like-minded residents

It is easy to make friends here

I have the opportunity to explore new skills and interests

I have people who want to do things together with me

I am able to participate in activity that I enjoy

If someone needs nursing home care, I would recommend this place / site

I can participate in activities that meek me feel good

I am able to express myself through arts, music, or dance

Site Satisfaction Survey

Activity Option Items Personal Relationship Items

I have enjoyable things to do here on weekends

Another resident here is my close friend

I have enjoyable things to do here evenings People ask for my help or advice

I participated in meaningful activities in the past week

I am invited to do things that are helpful to others

If I want, I can participate in religious activities that have meaning to me

I have opportunity for affection or romance

I have opportunities to spend time with other like-minded residents

It is easy to make friends here

I have the opportunity to explore new skills and interests

I have people who want to do things together with me

I am able to participate in activity that I enjoy

If someone needs nursing home care, I would recommend this place / site

I can participate in activities that meek me feel good

I am able to express myself through arts, music, or dance

Residents’ Feedback

Conclusions

Leveraging technology to deliver arts recreation for older adults with cognitive decline is: • Feasible / acceptable • Increases access • Promotes wellness • Demonstrates potential for health economy

benefit

Thank you – for more information contact kmurphy@baycrest.org