# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
[Paint Lined up on White Paper](n.d)Adobe Stock:308752067

# data[].attributes.body
This padlet is a guide for group workers that outlines the creation of a support group for people with early-stage dementia, and their care partners. In this therapeutic support group, art activities are used to promote brain health in conjunction with facilitator-led discussions that address topics around dementia. The facilitator-led discussions would explore different topics, such as advanced care planning, nutrition, and exercise. The visual arts component of the group is used as a way to support brain health through participation in loosely guided art projects; and by working to foster interactions and relationships between people living with dementia and their care partners.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
[Elderly Hand Holding Paint Brush](n.d)Adobe Stock:49816292

# data[].attributes.body
A support group for people with early-stage dementia and their care partners has the ability to improve their quality of life by allowing the participants to "meaningfully engage with others through collaboration, play, and validation while also working to meet their psychological needs for comfort, identity, and inclusion "(Sauer et al.2016). The addition of visual arts to support groups for people with dementia is particularly beneficial because “creative expression activities, also referred to as cultural arts interventions (e.g. music, visual arts, storytelling/theater, and dance), are non-pharmacological approaches with the potential to enhance the personhood and quality of life for those living with dementia.”(Basting and Killick,2003, as cited in Sauer et al.,2016). Support groups have also shown positive effects on the participants' own acceptance of cognitive impairment and worked to improve self-efficiency and care partners' coping strategies. (Jao et al.,2026)However, studies have tended to be homogenous in their group selections and measurements of success and this may limit or generalize the findings. Because of this more research is needed on the effects of the group with an array of diverse participants and a further analysis of groups carried out over varying amounts of time. These findings could provide greater insight into the group's impact on people with early-stage dementia and their care providers from a multitude of diverse backgrounds.(Toms et al.,2015)

# data[].attributes.body
The feelings that come along with a diagnosis of early-stage dementia can be challenging to articulate. The core of this group's strength is that it helps participants explore these complex feelings and challenges through the use of facilitator-led discussions and through the use of visual art mediums such as pastels, and watercolors. Through both these avenues, participants can find validation through interactions with individuals who are on similar journeys with their early-stage dementia. Visual arts activities would be loosely guided with the primary focus mainly being on fostering relationships and encouraging conversations between participants, while facilitator-led discussions would offer opportunities to learn about topics related to dementia and provide a space in which participants with memory loss and their care partners can ask questions and learn skills for their path moving forward.
Some challenges that could arise could be agitation in a participant should they become overwhelmed. A way in which to avoid this would be to make it a mid-morning group to lessen the chances of increased agitation and confusion that happen during sundowning for people living with dementia. There would also be group participants who have different levels of mobility and dexterity and this would need to be addressed by making sure the group is held in wheelchair accessible building and with art supplies that can be modified to be inclusive of all levels of dexterity.
As an open support group for people with early dementia and their care partners, there is a diverse population of participants that could utilize the group. Because of the diverse population that the group may serve it would be important for group facilitators to provide a culturally safe space. This would mean that the group workers would need to be well-qualified that are equipped to work proficiently among different cultures. It would also be important for a group facilitator to recognise that "some of the group norms generally associated with group participation may not be congruent with the cultural values of the group." (Corey et Al,2018)As a facilitator, it would be “of paramount importance that you sensitize yourself to the clues members often give indicating that they would like to talk about some aspect of their culture that is affecting their participation in the group”(Corey et Al,2018, pg.2)

# data[].attributes.headline
Beginning and Middle Stage of Group Planning

# data[].attributes.subject
Beginning and Middle Stage of Group Planning

# data[].attributes.body
In the beginning stage of group development, the first important step would be acquiring an accessible area to host the group. Local assisted living homes would be a good option because they would have accessible washroom facilities and sinks that could allow for art supplies clean up and a hand-washing station for refreshments. If the group were to be run in an assisted living facility there would also be more opportunities to access experts to talk with the group; such as the onsite social worker in regards to advance care planning and the dietitian regarding healthy lifestyle choices. There may also be residents at the facility who would be able to participate. The activities staff of the assisted living facility could direct the art activities at the beginning of the class or a volunteer with experience teaching art to people of varying abilities. An area with access to green space would be ideal for using nature as an inspiration or an area for participants to decompress should they feel overwhelmed. A community centre could also be a good option to locate a space to hold the group.
The sessions would take place over 9 sessions, During the first session, participants would be given their own sketchbooks, watercolours, and pastels. At the beginning of each class, a different loosely guided art session would take place. The art teacher could be a volunteer with experience working with the elderly. The second part of the meeting would be run by a qualified group worker such as a social worker with geriatric experience. The discussion aspect group would discuss a different topic related to early-stage dementia and have a question-and-answer period at the end of the class. A typical session would begin with 40 mins of guided art activities. After the art activity, participants would be offered refreshments, and after they were settled and comfortable a topic discussion would commence. The topic the facilitator presents would be related to dementia and would cover topics such as advanced care planning or safety plans. The use of expert speakers would be beneficial, for example, a dietician to discuss nutrition and exercise.

# data[].attributes.headline
Types of Groups Appropriate for People with Early-Stage Dementia

# data[].attributes.subject
Types of Groups Appropriate for People with Early-Stage Dementia

# data[].attributes.body
For people with early dementia, a treatment group offers many benefits including "significantly higher quality of life and family communication, as well as reduced depression"(The Memory Club,2020). A treatment group is a good fit because it would be conducive to meeting both the person with memory loss and their care partner's needs for "socialization, validation and normalization of problems and concerns."(Toseland,2011,p.16)When visual arts are integrated into the group offerings it brings together people who have shared interests and offers them an avenue in which they communicate and build relationships with like-minded individuals who share the same challenges adjusting to life with early-stage dementia. Online support groups would be a challenge for this demographic because it lacks the in-person aspect that would serve to foster relationships between participants and their care partners by eliminating any natural instances to interact. It could also be a challenge to interact with somebody who has dementia as the facilitator because being unable to read bodily cues, tones, and posture could greatly impede communication.

# data[].attributes.body
The last session of the group would offer participants the opportunity to share some of their favourite pieces of art in a small gallery show as a way to wrap up the visual arts aspect of the group and to create a feeling of shared accomplishment amongst the participants. During the facilitator-led discussion period of the group there would be the opportunity for participants and their care partners to ask any remaining questions they may have and to discuss how they are feeling moving forward beyond the group.
It would also be a good time to receive feedback from participants and their care partners regarding their feelings about the efficiency of the support group, and how they are feeling moving forward. As a group worker it is "imperative that you offer group members the opportunity to provide feedback. It is also helpful for them to have a space to reflect on what the group work experience and opportunity has meant for them."(Lavoie&Schmid,n.d,p.2)This feedback is vital to developing a reflexive practice as a group worker and could offer ways in which the group could be adjusted in the future to better suit participants' and their care partners' needs because "Seniors are a very diverse group, and there are vast differences among them with respect to health cognitive ability, capacity for autonomy lifestyles and income."(Shebib,2023, pg.14)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
[Ripped Blue Paper with Yellow Paper Underneath with the Words What's Next?](n.d)Adobe Stock:388627355

# data[].attributes.body
The topics covered during the nine sessions would have hopefully provided participants and their care partners with information and tools that will serve them well moving forward past the group ends. The art projects' culmination during the nine sessions would make for a positive way to end the class by allowing participants to speak about the pieces they have created with the group and allow for a sense of closure. The sketchbook journal could continue to serve as a meaningful way to promote brain health and express feelings for people with dementia and their care partners. Any friendships that began in class between participants and between their care partners could continue to provide support moving beyond the group.

# data[].attributes.body
In conclusion, this padlet outlines the resources and steps needed to begin a treatment support group for people with early-stage dementia and their care partners. The strengths, needs, and challenges of creating a group for the target demographic are explored. And this padlet also discusses potential group benefits and their implications for people with early-stage dementia and their care partners, moving forward past the groups ending.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Early Dementia Support Group Readings (1)