The purpose of the proposed study is to better understand what benefits visual art has on reducing problematic symptoms in dementia patients, including those with Alzheimer's disease.

Participants:

Participants will be residents, attendees and/or members of assisted living locations and/or dementia (or related) day programs. There will be two groups: an art training group and a waitlist control group.

Data Analysis:

1. For primary measures, t-tests on pre-post difference scores comparing art training and waitlist groups.
2. For possible confounding effects, tests for confounds related to background factors (socioeconomic status, education level, gender, activity participation).

Procedure:

A randomized controlled trial design will be utilized to assess two groups of dementia patients: an art training experimental group and a structured usual-activity waitlist control group. The experimental group will participate in a visual art training program and the waitlist control group will participate in their usual structured group activities. The waitlist control group will receive the art training program once post-testing is complete. Before, during, and/or after the art programs and/or control activities, participants will be observed and complete assessments.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Dementia

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to participate in the art training program due to physical or cognitive limitations

Teacher