回艺 (huí yì) : exploring art-based life review to support the relocation process for seniors with dementia in nursing homes

• Main Author: Tan, Chao Min
• Other Authors: Ho Hau Yan Andy
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/77269
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Relocation to a nursing home is often a very stressful process for seniors with dementia. Moreover, the lack of support to ease the relocation process results in relocation stress and a negative impact on their psychosocial wellbeing. The first part of the current study was dedicated to understanding the experiences of relocation in Singapore through semi-structured interviews with 12 nursing home residents. Qualitative interview data collected were analysed. Five themes emerged and were grouped into the three main phases of the relocation process: Preinstitutionalisation, Transition, and Post-institutionalisation. Subsequently, the 12 residents participated in a 6-weeks art-based life review intervention, which encouraged them to engage in art-making and storytelling to co-create their individualised Life Review Art Book. To evaluate the intervention, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analysed. Results from quantitative analysis revealed overall improvements in psychosocial and spiritual wellbeing. Additionally, through qualitative analysis, a framework was developed to highlight five major themes on art-based life review: Intergenerational Learning, Identity Reconstruction, Affective Atmospheres, Personal Growth and Personal Biography. Accompanying each major theme, a key attribute of art-based life review was also identified to explain how the major theme contributed to the enhancement of wellbeing. Findings from the current study not only provides further insights into the relocation process of seniors with dementia in Singapore, the theoretical framework that was developed also helped to conceptualise how the art-based life review intervention potentially supports relocation and informed practices.