Date of Award
9-15-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MA - Master of Arts
Department
Expressive Therapies
Advisor
Wendy Allen
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states issued quarantines and social isolation policies. While this impacted the well-being and mental health of everyone, it had an increased effect on the elderly population and, more specifically, those living with dementia. Social isolation has been shown to cause a quicker progression of dementia symptoms, increase anxiety and depressive symptoms, and worsen chronic health issues. Before the pandemic, research has agreed that a way to combat the progression of dementia and lower the symptoms is through socialization. A critical review of the literature found that the arts may be used to form connections between people with dementia and between the community and people with dementia. This thesis hopes to present this information and brainstorm a possible protocol for caregivers to use the arts to continue to help a person with dementia stay connected during times of isolation.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Olive, Emily, "The Effects of Social Isolation on People with Dementia and the Use of Arts as Connection" (2024). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 898.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/898
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The author owns the copyright to this work.
