How can the arts help us understand dementia?

Professor Sebastian Crutch and Julian West explain how the arts are able to convey certain aspects of the biology of the dementias which more typical scientific methods are not able to.

This video outlines:

• How the arts can serve as a vehicle for expression when certain abilities have been lost.

• How the arts can provide a way of connecting with people and the world around you.

• Some of the limitations of typical scientific methods in helping to understanding the biology of the dementias.

Do you have any examples of how you or somebody you know who lives with dementia has been able to express themselves through the arts, even when certain cognitive abilities have deteriorated? Perhaps you may have experience of this yourself, even if you don’t have dementia. If you feel comfortable doing so, please share your experiences in the Comments area, being careful not to reveal any personal information.

CREDITS We would like to extend a special thank you to the following individuals and organisations for providing supplementary footage and images for this video: * Equal Arts * University of Bradford * James Berry/ Wigmore Hall * Dementia Research Centre.