title: Subjective experiences of an art museum engagement activity for persons with early-stage Alzheimer's disease and their family caregivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the subjective experiences of older adults with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or related cognitive disorders (ADRDs) and their family caregivers who participated in an art museum engagement activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four focus groups were conducted with 10 persons with ADRD and 10 family caregivers following the completion of a 1-time, 3-hour engagement activity. Participants also completed a brief satisfaction survey, and associations were examined using nonparametric statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three key themes were identified: cognitive stimulation, social connections, and self-esteem. In addition, we identified programmatic issues such as activity-specific concerns and program logistics that could help improve future art program offerings. Past experience with art and perceived social cohesion were correlated with participants' overall satisfaction with the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Efforts aimed at improving the quality of life of those with Alzheimer's disease and their family caregivers should consider the potential role of art museums.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA jdf50@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Flatt
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liptak
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Oakley
authors.affiliation: Henry Clay Frick Department of History of Art and Architecture, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gogan
authors.affiliation: Education Department, The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Tresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Varner
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lingler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001155:Art Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009144:Museums; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; art museums; caregivers; quality of life; social activities