JOYof ART - an Intervention Study

JOY of ART - an Intervention Study for Older Adults and Their Family Caregivers

Music, dance and visual arts are suggested to support health and well-being of older people. Intervention studies, however, are scarce. JOY of ART study investigates the effects of multicomponent art intervention among older people and ther family caregivers.

JOY of ART study investigates the effects of group based intervention including music, dance and visual arts. Art sessions are provided once a week in three months period each session takes 60 minutes. Eligible participants are recruited from the City of Kuopio, Finland, total 60 dyads, 30 to intervention group and 30 to control group. Health, physical performance and quality of life assessments are conducted at the baseline and in the end of the intervention. In addition, participants are contacted by phone and interviewed six months after the intervention has completed. For family caregivers qualitative interviews are conducted at the baseline and in the end of the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 65+ age, family caregiving dyad, ability to walk independently or assisted, home dwelling

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe dementia, severe aphasia