The Creative Dementia Practice Handbook

Arts for Health and Wellbeing

Maria Pasiecznik Parsons, Richard Coaten, Various Authors , Alex Coulter

$59.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Jessica Kingsley Publishers
18 December 2025

Care of the elderly

This handbook examines why, how and where creative arts can help meet the social, psychological and occupational needs of people living with dementia and their family carers.

Bringing together case studies of music, dance, poetry, digital arts and more, this book explores the core skills needed to co-create inspiring programmes in various settings. Foregrounding the lived experience of people living with dementia and their carers, each chapter showcases best practice, person-centred approaches, core learning points and online resources.

Full of expert information and clear practical guidance, this book is essential reading for students, early career and experienced practitioners seeking to improve health and wellbeing for people living with dementia.

By: Various Authors
Foreword by: Alex Coulter
Contributions by: Jane Spiro
Edited by: Maria Pasiecznik Parsons, Richard Coaten
Imprint: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 228mm, Width: 150mm, Spine: 10mm
Weight: 320g
ISBN: 9781805010357
ISBN 10: 1805010352
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 18 December 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Foreword Co Editors Preface Section 1: Practising Well Chapter 1 Creativity in arts, health and dementia Chapter 2 Reflecting on good practice in creative arts and dementia SECTION 2 CREATIVE ARTS PRACTICE Chapter 3 A creative conversation about arts and memory Chapter 4 Song writing with people living with dementia Chapter 5 The artful carer: building communities of care through dance and somatic movement education with people living with Parkinson's and their caregivers Chapter 6 Creating and Sharing Poetry Chapter 7 Maggie May - co-creating a play about adapting to life with dementia Chapter 8 House of Memories Chapter 9 Creative arts in care homes Chapter 10 Creative Arts in Hospitals Chapter 11 Moving Kinship with Dementia: A Feminist More-than-Human Practice Chapter 12 Still Climbing Mountains - a conversation on creativity, aspiration and living with dementia Chapter 13 Social Prescribing of creative arts for older people Section 3 Informing, Developing and Supporting Chapter 14 Developing the creative health workforce Chapter 15 Support for Creative Practitioners CHAPTER 16 Research and evaluation Chapter 17 The working lives of freelance creative health practitioners: rewards and challenges. Chapter 18: Working with people living with dementia: creative arts practice in the next decade and beyond

Maria Pasiecznik Parsons is CEO of Creative Dementia Arts Network (CDAN). Maria is a professional social worker, academic and researcher, senior manager in dementia care and NHS and social care specialist consultant. Maria sits on the Boards of Frames of Mind and Dementia Community, has lived experience of being a family carer and lives in Bristol. Richard Coaten PhD is a registered dance movement psychotherapist (RDMP) with the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy (UK) and is a national and international specialist in non-verbal, movement and dance-based practices with people living with dementia and their carers. Richard sits on the boards of CDAN and the Balbir Singh Dance Company and is a Churchill Fellow (2010). He lives in West Yorkshire.

Reviews for The Creative Dementia Practice Handbook: Arts for Health and Wellbeing

People with significant memory problems and their carers often experience an existence without any sense of hope or joy. As evidenced by the life affirming chapters of this inspiring book, the power of creativity to enhance the lived experience of such people is beautifully illustrated. I personally commend it to those concerned with ensuring excellence in this field of work. -- Dr. Steven Michael OBE FRSA, Visiting Professor, University of Huddersfield independent Chair, Creative Wakefield