Question: How do you think museums will help people with dementia and how they will react to it

Debbie Kinsey answered on 11 Nov 2019:

The research I’m doing is about a special museum programme that doesn’t ask people about their memories, but is just about enjoying the activities, learning something new, and meeting new people. I think they help because they’re just about having a good time and sharing that with other people, especially because people normally go to them with a friend, a family member, or a carer.
When I’ve been going to the sessions, people react in different ways, but most people seem to enjoy it, have some good chats about artwork or museum objects, and just enjoy being in the museum space.
A lot of museums and other places are trying to do more to be ‘dementia-friendly’, which basically means doing things in a way that helps people with dementia to take part. And that’s great – it means people with dementia can join in and go to places that they enjoy.