Effect of Art Museum Activity Program for the Elderly on Health: A Pilot Observational Study

Overview

Older adults, defined as 65 years or older, are increasing in number and representing a larger part of Canadian population. Assessing and addressing the needs of this growing number of individuals is essential. Practicing art and/or being involved in cultural programs could enhance health and quality of life of older adults. The overall objective of the proposal is to describe the characteristics (i.e.; socio-demographic, health condition and quality of life) and their changes in older adults participating in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA; Quebec, Canada) art activities program called "Les Beaux Jeudis". An observational, prospective, cohort study, before and after participation in MMFA art activities program "Les Beaux Jeudis" will be performed.

The population is aging. Aging is often associated with worsening health, which increases the risk of a poor quality of life. It has been reported that practicing art and/or being involved in cultural programs, especially participatory-based art activities, enhances the quality of life of patients. No effect on health and quality of life has been reported in community-dwellers living independently at home. Since October 2015, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA; Quebec, Canada) has successfully initiated a series of participatory-based art activities called "Les Beaux Jeudis" for older community-dwellers. This art museum program includes several activities such as: cultural mediation workshops, supervised museum visit and tours as well as a combination of both activities. Here, the investigator has the unique opportunity to examine whether and how the MMFA art activities program influences health conditions and the quality of life in older community-dwellers. Objectives The objectives of the proposal are to examine: 1) The socio-demographic, health and quality of life characteristics of older adults before, during and after their participation in the MMFA art activities program "Les Beaux Jeudis" 2) Compliance to the MMFA art activities program 3) Self-assessment of health and quality of life feasibility using a personalized e-Health application, accessible online on the web platform of the Telehealth McGill integrated university health network. Methods The design of this study is: observational, prospective, cohort study, before and after participation in the MMFA art activities program "Les Beaux Jeudis". The recruited population will be older adults who are participants of the MMFA art activities program. Three participatory-based art activities are examined: 1) Cultural mediation workshop 2) Supervised museum visit and tour of museum 3) Cultural mediation workshop combined with supervised museum visit and tour of museum. Each participatory-based art activity is a weekly activity. The duration of the MMFA art activities program is 3 months. Five outcomes are examined: Socio-demographic characteristics, health condition, quality of life, compliance to the MMFA art activities program and the usability of a personalized e-Health application.