Anouk Heesbeen's Presentation for Design for All - Culture and Accessibility. Città della Scienza 3/12/2015

1. UNFORGETTABLE
GUIDED TOURS FOR
PEOPLE WITH
DEMENTIA AND
THEIR CAREGIVERS
Anouk Heesbeen
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam

3. COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE ABOUT ART

4. THE UNFORGETTABLE PROGRAMME
Main goal: to provide an inspiring, social, and
meaningful activity that people with dementia
and their caregivers can enjoy together.

5. WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
A general term for a decline in mental and cognitive
ability, severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Common problems:
• Memory
• Reasoning
• Concentrating
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Orientation
• Visuospatial skills
• Language skills

6. INSPIRATION: MEET ME @MOMA
WWW.MOMA.ORG/MEETME

7. ALSO IN ITALY…
L’ARTE TRA LE MANI

8. THE UNFORGETTABLE PROGRAMME
Collaboration since 2013
between Stedelijk Museum
Amsterdam and Van
Abbemuseum in Eindhoven
Currently expanding the
programme in 10 museums
nationwide
Publication and website
Research by VUmc

9. NATIONWIDE
EXPANSION

10. Expansion
Centraal Museum; CODA; Drents Museum; Limburgs
Museum i.s.m. Museum van Bommel van Dam;
Mauritshuis; Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen; Museum
Dr8888; Natura Docet Wonderryck Twente; Singer; Zeeuws
Museum
The main funder of the implementation project and the research is the Gieskes Strijbis Fund.
The implementation of the Alzheimer program in the Stedelijk Museum and in the Van Abbemuseum is financially
supported by the RCOAK Foundation and the Sluyterman van Loo Fund.
FUNDING
=
=Research
=

11. Activity for individuals with
dementia and their caregivers
Focus on what all participants
are still capable of
Emphasis on having fun
Social aspect: friendships
WHAT DID WE
FIND APPEALING?

12. Set time and day every month / Groups on request
Maximum of 14 participants per group
Tour guide and volunteer
Based on a theme
4 or 5 objects in 90 minutes
Nametags
Portable chairs to sit on
Memento to take home
THE UNFORGETTABLE PROGRAMME

13. Observe
What is the first word that comes to
mind when you look at this
painting?
Describe
What do you see?
Interpret
How does this person feel?
How would you describe the mood
of this painting?
If this painting is the end of a story,
what could the story have been?
What is this woman’s name, and
what does she do in daily life?
Connect
If you would make a self-portrait,
where would you be and what
would you look like?
Summarize

14. DO’S AND DON’TS
Structure
Avoid distractions, objects in crowded
places and objects that are very small
Ask open ended questions to all
participants
Include non-verbal reactions
Use music, scent or touch for a wider
interpretation
Be aware of your pace, tone, volume and
articulation
You want participants to interact, so side-
conversations are allowed
Use humor to lighten the mood
There are no wrong anwers!

15. Both
Elevated mood
Increase in social support
Elevated self esteem
Caregiver
Fewer emotional problems
Museum visit served as
inspiration to start
engaging in other
activities together
37 PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND 37 CAREGIVERS
MEET ME @MOMA RESEARCH

16. ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAMME THAT
CONTRIBUTE TO ITS IMPACT AND SUCCESS
The educator and volunteer
Intellectual stimulation
Sharing experiences
Social interaction
Safe, accepting environment

17. ‘A comment that Wim made that I felt I had to
share with you: in response to my quetion
about how he experienced the Unforgettable
tour, Wim answered: “FANTATIC, I was
finally allowed to say something
meaningful that people listened to.” Wim
felt that he had been heard, seen, and that he
was taken seriously, which made him go
home feeling great. That comment gave me
goosebumps.’

18. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
www.stedelijk.nl/onvergetelijk
a.heesbeen@stedelijk.nl