1. Is seven the magic number?
The experiences of recruiting people living with dementia to a visual art group.
Dr Catrin Hedd Jones Dementia Services Development Centre Bangor University
Challenges of the research process:
reflections on the progression of research in visual art groups for people living with dementia and those who care for them.
BSG- Newcastle-2nd July 2015

2. 3 sites- Care homes/ NHS/ Community

3. Priorities Complete data 100 members and 100 carers/ 3 sites
Sub sample of 35 dyads qualitative interviews
1st group June rolling programme – end 2015
Identify areas and recruit /group
Data collected pre, control, during, post and 3 months final follow up after last group session.
Encourage participants to feedback after sessions and post 3 months.
112 PWD, 114carers

4. Community recruitment
3 Locations
4 waves
Target participants in the group areas
Research active GP’s Memory clinics & groups
Careful screening of patients to ensure met study criteria

5. Denbighshire sites
Rhyl 6K, Ruthin 5K & Llangollen 4K

6. Primary care Worked with 14 practices Location
Practice size- (homes?) and staff relations
Screen lists & GP approval
Post invitation with reply slip
Telephone followed up with home visit
Informed consent
Collect consent and baseline with both person and carer
2% of screened attended

7. Secondary care sector 3 Memory clinics
NISCR CRC research officer - multiple projects
Staff briefed
Available on site to meet and explain study
Frequency of clinics
40-63% of screened attended

8. Third sector 18 different organisations/ groups
Alzheimer’s society –S4B, Café
Social services drop ins
Community council agents
Voluntary sector
Social groups
Media
20-33% of screened attended

9. Community recruitment -consented

10. ‘Dementia’ screened (n= 855) Clinics and community groups (n= 21)
GP (n= 14)
‘Dementia’ screened (n= 855)
Clinics and community groups (n= 21)
Information sent/ shared
(n= 558)
Not interested 13 Unsuitable 4
Physical illness/falls 6
Carer declined on their behalf 4
Interested
(n= 74)
Consented
(n= 53)
Attended
(n= 47)
Carers data
(n= 46)

11. (n= 53 members and 46 carers)
Consented
(n= 53 members and 46 carers)
Carers qualitative
(n=15 )
Qualitative interviews
Members
(n= 15)
2 failed to attend group
(n= 13 & 13)
Attended
(n= 47)
Carers data
(n= 46)
Observed in session 11/12
(n= 39)
Not for me
(n=5)
Physical illness
(n=3)

12. Art appreciation

13. Discussions and focused work

14. Using the hands and brain

15. “It was nice for her to have something to
be proud of at the end of 3 months.”

16. Some things to consider…
Affordable and appropriate transport.
Benefits - social interaction, art making,
art discussion
Celebrate success
Longevity of groups
Keep all informed of progress, coordinate & acknowledge
others role, expertise and support
Workshops in Newcastle/ Manchester/ Ruthin
3 sites, working with different groups.

17. Next steps… Complete final groups across 3 sites
Analysing data across each type and source
What happens week 7
Dissemination activities over next 12 months

18. Find out more… Website: dementiaandimagination.org.uk
and newsletter:
@catrinhedd
Facebook: Dementia and imagination