Using multisensory culture boxes to promote public health guidance and to support the wellbeing of people with dementia in care homes.

This study addresses two urgent challenges. Firstly, providing COVID-19 (CV-19) information for those with cognitive impairment, specifically people with dementia in care homes. Secondly, alleviating social isolation and loneliness in care homes by providing creative activities that support wellbeing for people with dementia, especially, in the context of long-term CV-19 lockdown and restrictions.

This project will produce, distribute and evaluate CV-19 culture boxes incorporating pandemic guidance with creative activities to support health and wellbeing and alleviate social isolation and loneliness for people with dementia in care homes.

The team will work with the Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory (IAM), stakeholders including people with dementia, staff and family carers and allied professionals, including BAME representatives, to co-design culture boxes with artists. These will be delivered weekly for 3 months (then repeated, updated, for 12 months). Each will contain multisensory materials (subject to health and safety guidance) suitable for diverse populations that: provide information about CV-19 transmission and prevention, with creative resources including music and art activities that are simple to implement and offer stimulation and enrichment.

The weekly delivery aims to reinforce public health messaging and to mimic regular activities in care homes.

The National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) will support distribution via their network of 3000 members. The project will be evaluated using Participatory Action Research (PAR). All resources will be archived via the NAPA website ensuring that they are widely available. Dissemination includes an art exhibition, conferences, educational presentations, and a peer-reviewed paper.