Emma Febvre-Richards Photo: Supplied
Successful trials in France have shown drawing can improve the well-being and lessen the anxiety of those living with early stage dementia.
Massey University is now bringing its success at France’s Institut Claude Pompidou and will be running a trial with Dementia Wellington, Canterbury District Health Board and Auckland University for a larger group.
With its repetitive nature and inducement of a meditative-like state, the study will interrogate the role of drawing and socialising in maintaining and increasing the chance of a good quality of life for those living with dementia and their support networks.
Mindart is looking for 36 pairs - a person living with dementia and their support person - based in either Wellington or Kapiti, to take part in a trial between September and May 2024.
The pairs will be randomly assigned to either Mindart or the Memory Cafe with a swapover after February 2024.
Associate Professor at Whiti o Rehua, Emma Febvre-Richards speaks to Culture 101’s Perlina Lau.
