Music and Arts Pathways for Dementia

This project, which was spearheaded by the charity Arts 4 Dementia in partnership with the Sidney De Haan Research Centre, launches a theoretical model that systematically includes music and arts pathways for dementia (MAPs4Dementia) within all post-diagnostic services.

The model includes evidence-based rationale for culture-based pathways from diagnosis to end-of-life and offers an example of the potential practical application using Kent and Medway Public Health Observatory’s integrated cares services strategy.

A mapping of literature on culture, arts and dementia and consultations with: people with dementia and their family carers; regional planners of strategic policy on dementia; cross-discipline dementia-care health professionals and workers; arts practitioners with experience of dementia-focused work.  

The model was presented as part of Arts 4 Dementia's conference 'Music Reawakening' in London, September 2015, at which key note speakers were Baronesses Sally Greengross, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dementia, and Dr Charles Alessi, Lead for Preventable Dementia, Public Health England.