Arts therapy with older people in dementia care units

This specialist thesis proposes a model of dance-movement therapy for groups of elderly people with dementia. As a theoretical backdrop to this work, it first looks into dementia and discusses its most common types and causes, risk-factors, diagnostic procedures, as well as the course of the illness and treatment methods. There then follows an examination of the different models of dementia care, and, in particular, a reflection upon the person-centered care which focuses on the physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of the individual as a whole. There then follows a discussion of dance-movement therapy within the concept of person-centered dementia care, together with an explanation of its effects on preserving cognitive abilities, the alleviation of behavioral and emotional symptoms, the improvement of motor skills, fitness, reminiscence and relationship with carers. The research examines how dance-movement therapy in a group of elderly dementia sufferers in a long-term care facility affects their mood, social interaction and present moment awareness. A variety of dance-movement therapy methods and techniques, different types of music and prompts, as well as their suitability for elderly dementia sufferers was also examined. On the basis of the results, this specialist thesis proposes a dance-therapy model for groups of elderly dementia sufferers in long-term residential care. The model includes the use of a circle, movement to music and rhythm, touch, singing, prompts and reminiscence