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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Spencer Hazel
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
The aims of this exploratory study were: to investigate the process of visual art appreciation in a person with dementia, in real time; and to test the feasibility of using videoanalysis as a method to explore this process by and with a person who has minimal verbal expression. Gallery personnel guided a woman with severe dementia around an exhibition. Audiovisual recordings of the interactions were analysed. Patterns were identified, and interpreted in the light of Conversation Analysis theory and research. Evidence was found of turn-taking vocalisations on the part of the research participant. Her participation in a dialogical process was facilitated by the skilled and empathic gallery personnel in ways that the analysis makes clear. We argue that this supports the inference that successful communicative acts took place, contrary to expectations in the light of the participant’s level of disability. We demonstrate in this paper how a woman with minimal speech due to dementia was enabled to engage with visual art through the facilitation of an expert guide, attuned to her needs. This is a novel example of a person-centred approach, because it takes place outside the context of caring, which is the typical setting for examining person-centred centred ways of relating to individuals with dementia.
Author(s): Schneider J, Hazel S, Morgner C, Dening T
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Ageing and Society
Year: 2019
Volume: 39
Issue: 8
Pages: 1731-1751
Print publication date: 01/08/2019
Online publication date: 10/04/2018
Acceptance date: 26/01/2018
Date deposited: 29/01/2018
ISSN (print): 0144-686X
ISSN (electronic): 1469-1779
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X1800020X
DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X1800020X
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