Bridging the gap between knowledge and practice in dementia care: Using the arts to challenge stigma and facilitate relational caring

A diagnosis of dementia is associated with stigma (stereotypes, prejudice, discriminatory practices) and creates social exclusion, deters help-seeking, and threatens well-being and quality of life. Decreasing stigma associated with dementia and fostering relational caring is a key public health priority, and arts-based approaches have been identified as a key knowledge mobilization strategy to achieve this. Our team has a history of creating socially relevant research-based dramas to promote and sustain such culture change in dementia care. These include a research-based theatre production and film, and a digital learning experience. All of these knowledge mobilization initiatives are based on research and were produced collaboratively with key members of the dementia community (e.g., people living with dementia, family carers, health care providers, general public). We have demonstrated significant impact of these initiatives on reducing stigma, including decreasing formal and informal care providers' prejudice, fostering critical reflection about relational practices, changing understanding of dementia (i.e., shifts from a tragedy perspective to a more life affirming one) and changing practice, specifically shifts to relational caring with people living with dementia and family carers. These initiatives are now being used in Canada and around the world to reduce stigma and to help ensure that people living with dementia are given equal opportunities to engage in everyday life to the fullest extent possible.