Harmonising artistic designs with private and collective notions of home: a focus group study of older persons' experiences of art in residential care specialised in dementia care.

Abstract

Background: Integrating art in residential care settings aims to create meaningful experiences and enhance the facility's aesthetic as a home. However, the literature shows a gap, as the voices of older persons are largely absent. This study aimed to explore the views of older persons in residential care facilities specialised in dementia care regarding art and expressions of home. Older persons with cognitive impairments are frequently depicted as lacking meaningful contributions, limiting their opportunities to voice their opinions and influence their environment.

Methods: This study used a qualitative explorative design with focus group method, allowing older persons with dementia to discuss their views of art in relation to expressions of home. Eleven older persons participated in four focus groups. This method encourages interaction between participants, shedding light on a collective understanding.

Results: The study found that the residential care facility was perceived as a home by the participants, based on their descriptions of how both private and shared collective spaces in the facility fostered a dynamic sense of belonging. Art owned by the older persons often held personal value and they valued art for its intrinsic qualities, such as beauty, meaning, and expression. The perception of art differed between the private and collective spaces, and the discussions centered on aligning the artistic design with the participants' notions of home to foster a socially engaging environment.

Conclusion: Clearly defined private and collective spaces seem to be crucial for fostering self-determination and a sense of belonging for older persons living in residential care facilities specialised in dementia care. A balance between private and collective spaces boosted social engagement, with art playing a key role in reflecting older persons' previous lives, shared interests and experiences, with co-creation of artistic design ensuring a dynamic environment.