| Abstract [eng] |
Topic – experiencing a sense of togetherness in group art therapy for elderly people with Alzheimer's disease". Problem of research – the ageing population will significantly increase the number of people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease worldwide. This is a burden on society as a whole and on national economies. Pharmacological treatments have not been discovered. Early diagnosis, education and prevention would help to halt the progress of the disease. There is no study examining the experience of art therapy in Alzheimer's patients in Lithuania. Object – is the experience of a sense of community among people with Alzheimer's disease during group art therapy. Aim – to reveal and describe the experience of a sense of togetherness of older people with Alzheimer's disease in group art therapy. Methods of research: qualitative research. The instruments used for data collection were art therapy sessions, video and audio recordings, photo of artworks from the therapy process. Methods of data analysis – deductive thematic analysis, analysis of video recordings; analysis of formal elements of participants' artworks. Study sample A convenience probability sample of subjects was selected, within the confines of a single social day care centre. Three participants with a diagnosis of mild to moderate illness were selected for the study. Results The deductive thematic analysis identified three main themes that characterised the experience of a sense of community in art therapy for older people with Alzheimer's disease: 'The encompassing power of the creative process', 'Quality communication in the therapeutic process', 'A sense of one's uniqueness'. The analysis of the video data highlighted three main themes describing the participants' experience of a sense of communion in the art therapy process: 'Eye contact, observation and smiles - the search for communion and acceptance', 'Expressing feelings and desires in body language', 'The help offered raises mood and smiles'. The analysis of the formal elements of the works revealed the following main groups of activities and tools: 1. The possibility of not drawing. 2. Interesting creative tools. 3. Quick result. 4. Recognizable creative materials. 5. Tailored creative tools. 6. Relevant topic of conversation. Conclusions 1. Analysis of the literature shows that the development of Alzheimer's disease is influenced by many factors. Sufferers are at increased risk of isolation and loneliness. Social relationships, friendship and community have been shown to be beneficial for people's psychological, moral and physical well-being. 2. Group art therapy for people with Alzheimer's disease creates a supportive environment to connect with, observe and build interpersonal relationships with other members of the group. 3. The results of the empirical study showed that group art therapy is a unifying process, which created an opportunity for quality communication, allowed the participant to engage in the creative process. 4. Combining the results of the video data shows how the body language of the participants in the group art therapy sessions revealed a willingness to communicate through eye contact, smiles, nodding, hand gestures, and physical support for each other. 5. Successful engagement in group art therapy creative activities was influenced by the appropriate choice of session topics and creative tools. This fostered a sense of satisfaction, a willingness to continue the process and to share the results with other group members. 6. Quality, attentive and responsive communication during group art therapy encouraged the sharing of feelings and memories, and that conversations were illustrated with whole body language. The opportunity to observe, the use of recognisable creative materials and the quick results encouraged creativity and lifted spirits. Naming the inner need during the creative process changed the way of looking at the environment and oneself. |
