D.A.S. Dementia. Arts. Society.

D.A.S. Dementia. Arts. Society. Artistic Research on Patterns of Perception and Action in the Context of an Aging Society This project is about integrating the potentials of arts-based research into the ongoing efforts to meet the challenges which dementia brings to our societies. Some 10 Million people in Europe are suffering from dementia. By the year 2050 the number of people with dementia is estimated to double. People with dementia suffer from societal stigmatization. Common tasks like shopping, financial agendas and traveling to unknown places can be difficult for them. To avoid rejection and embarrassment they seclude themselves from society. The principle hypothesis of this research project is, that specifically created art and design interventions can change the societal approach to dementia and improve the individual situation of people with dementia and their caring persons. On the societal level this project aims to develop art-based processes for changing the sensory perception of persons without dementia and thereby raising the general societal awareness for the situation of people with dementia. On the individual level the project aims to develop concepts for artworks, design products, interactive creative social processes, performative interventions or other creative tools to increase the individual self- determination and self-confidence of people. This should support people with dementia to remain an active part of society for a longer period of time. Spending some time with people suffering from dementia, dialogues and interviews with experts, workshops on design thinking, sensual workshops, narrative drawings, photographs, videos and public performances will be the methods applied. Where social politics, therapies, caregiving and medicine come to their end, arts- and design-strategies aim to open up new perspectives to people with dementia concerning their own capabilities and their situation within social environments. This is the particular approach to the challenges caused by dementia.

The Research Project Dementia. Arts. Society. The term Dementia describes a chronic disease of the brain, which is followed by a gradual deterioration of cognitive, emotional and social skills. Dementia usually arises in old age and advanced to a crucial societal and health topic due to demographic developments. People with dementia suffer of cognitive impairments such as forgetfulness, short-term memory loss, loss of language and counting abilities which lead to a need for professional care The >>World Alzheimer Report 2016<< currently reports of 47 million people living with dementia all over the the world and estimates that the number will increase up to 131 Millionen in 2025,10 Million people are living with dementia in Europe and in Austria and cases of dementia are expected to double by 2050. Ordinary tasks usually becomes exceedingly difficult. Memory loss is accompanied by visual and hearing impairment. This often leads to a complete withdrawal from society to avoid rejection and embarrassment. The FWF (Austrian Science Funds) offers funding for artistic research in Austria (PEEK). 'Dementia. Arts. Society. instigates art and design strategies that positively change both the public perception of dementia and the individual circumstances of people with dementia and their caregivers. People without dementia are enabled to emphasize by changes of their own sensual perception. Concepts for art pieces, design products, interactive social processes, performative interventions and other creative tools are being developed to empower the autonomy and self esteem of people with dementia, offering support for an extended participation in society. A wide range of methods are applied in workshops and research: observing, dwelling, interaction with people with dementia as well as caregivers, expert discussions, design strategies, narrative drawings, photography, video, interventional objects in public spaces etc. Art and design strategies offer new perspectives on dementia where social policy, therapy, care and medicine are reaching their limits. A new and innovative form dealing with dementia? This project shows various ways art and design are able to positively impact both people with and without dementia. People with dementia share their resources with people without dementia which creates empathy and awareness. Where social policies, therapy, care and medicine reach their limits art and design strategies aim to open up new perspectives to people with dementia concerning their own capabilities and their situation within social environments. Workshops allow diverse individual experiences and are disseminated and shared with caregivers, designers, family members and curious engaged conference audiences. Caregivers too need time for themselves and the society we live in must realize that we all know situations of confusion without illness being diagnosed and need empathy and respect in precarious situations. Ruth Mateus-Berr in: DEEWENZLMTEN. Urbane Herausforderungen für Menschen mit Demenz, zoll+, Nr. 32, Juni 2018.