Art against dementia: How museum visits can change lives

Art against dementia: How museum visits can change lives

Almost two million people in Germany suffer from dementia, as the German Alzheimer's Society reports. Given the lack of a cure and the limited effectiveness of most medications for symptom relief, alternative approaches are becoming increasingly important. One of these projects is “Erinnerungs_reich”, which was initiated by researchers from the Medical Faculty of the Technical University of Dresden (TUD). It aims to improve the quality of life of those affected and their relatives through regular museum visits.

The three-year study, the results of which will be presented at a symposium in Dresden on March 14, 2025, wanted to find out to what extent cultural participation can promote the general condition of people with dementia. Around 80 percent of people with dementia in Germany live at home and are cared for by relatives. It is therefore essential to reduce the psychological and somatic stress on both those affected and their carers.

Cultural participation as a therapeutic approach

The “Erinnerungs_reich” project investigates how low-threshold offers such as museum visits can have positive effects on the activity and health of people with dementia. In this context, 33 museums in Saxony received dementia-sensitive training in order to create appropriate offerings and provide participants with the best possible care.

The research project includes 102 participants made up of dementia sufferers and their relatives in 51 tandem pairs. Over a period of ten weeks, the groups took part in guided and non-guided museum visits. The positive results of the study indicate that such visits were able to promote the quality of life and mental health of the participants. Interestingly, however, no change was found in the burden on relatives.

Recommendations for improving the supply landscape

The study results suggest that museum visits may be more effective than many of the currently available medications. Accordingly, the researchers recommend that such cultural offerings be more closely integrated into standard care for people with dementia. The project funding, which receives around 250,000 euros from the Saxon state government and health insurance companies, was initiated under the patronage of State Minister Petra Köpping.

CURRENT RESEARCH on non-pharmacological interventions confirms the importance of such approaches in improving quality of life and well-being. According to current studies, creative therapeutic offerings and social participation make a decisive contribution to promoting the communication skills and general well-being of those affected. Projects like “Erinnerungs_reich” and the ARTEMIS project carried out in Hesse show what positive effects art and cultural offerings can have on people with dementia.

In summary, it can be said that the establishment of such measures is not only a benefit for those affected, but also for their relatives. The highlighted importance of non-pharmacological approaches could usher in a new era of therapy for people with dementia.