A.R.T.S. for Brain Health
Social Prescribing Transforming the Diagnostic Narrative for Dementia
I recently brought you a report about social prescribing and the power of music. Veronica Franklin Gould FRSA, AMRSPH, Arts for Brain Health Consultant and President, Arts 4 Dementia brought me a companion study that I will summarize here. Find the full report here.
In the U.K. referral to A.R.T.S. (Activities to Revitalize The Soul) support for dementia requires a diagnosis. General practice physicians can at the onset of symptoms refer people to their practice social prescribing link worker (SPLW) for non-medical support. If people are engaged in a social arts group when diagnosis comes, their sense of identity, purpose and belonging can continue, despite dementia – for years longer.
The report was informed by 400 speakers at two national conferences and 15 regional cross-sector meetings throughout the UK, leaders in dementia prevention, creative aging, social prescribing, culture, health and wellbeing, people with lived experience, GPs, memory services and local authorities.
Learning vs lack of education
Learning music, poetry or drama, exploring works of art, discovering the artist’s intention, challenges the brain to create new neural connections and pathways that can compensate for reduced activity in other regions. Opening the door to new discovery and engaging interest is the essence of cognitively stimulating programs.Social contact vs loneliness and isolation
The social connectivity involved in person-centred A.R.T.S. plays a vital role protecting vulnerable people across all social backgrounds and cultural ethnicities by fulfilling their core psychological need, nurture social bonding and personal identity through collaborating in creative endeavor.Dance movement vs physical inactivity, obesity and depression.
Dance offers a joyous route to health and wellbeing, more effective than an exercise class in reducing body fat, fall prevention and, through the role of music, in improving mood, reducing stress and helping to maintain attention. Learning new steps, to lead and follow, enhances hand-eye coordination.Music vs depression
As we age, music-making provides a tool for a total brain workout, improves plasticity in the cortex, which enhances the aging brain’s cognitive abilities – perception, motor function, working memory – improves cardio-vascular strength. It allows creative self-expression, reducing stress and giving a joyful sense of accomplishment.Connecting actively with nature vs physical inactivity
Group activities for wellbeing and camaraderie in nature help protect against obesity, sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression and social isolation.Diagnosing well - The patient journey
According to physicians, it takes several years from the start of symptoms to get a dementia diagnosis and the wait for a memory assessment appointment can be three to fourteen weeks, or more. Memory services on post diagnostic support now advise patients awaiting appointments to take up A.R.T.S.Supporting well – social prescription
Introduced through the NHS Long Term Plan in 2019, there are now 1,500 link workers who can refer patients for non-clinical, psychosocial sources of support, such as A.R.T.S., whatever is of greatest interest to the patient.Living Well – A.R.T.S. to preserve brain health
A.R.T.S. can be offered at the onset of symptoms and, in so doing, transform the diagnostic experience, reduce anxiety and preserve resilience for the individual and their partner together in the community for years longer. If a diagnosis is confirmed, participants remain part of the group, co-curating, improvising, inspiring each other.