From Silence to Story: Arts-Based Approaches with Veterans Living with Dementia
Authors: Dew, R., Lucas, E., Tweedy, V., Gyori, B., Board, M.
Conference: 37th Global Conference of Alzheimer's Disease International (Lyon, France)
Publication Date: 14/04/2026
Abstract:Veterans living with dementia face distinct challenges shaped by military culture, stigma, and barriers to accessing appropriate care. Despite growing recognition of these issues, little research has explored their lived experiences in the UK. This commentary piece reflects on a pilot project that used creative, arts-based workshops to engage veterans living with dementia and their carers, aiming to understand their experiences and identify priorities for future research. These activities fostered rapport and open, informal conversations, facilitating reflective interviews and leading to the co-production of a short documentary film. The project concluded with a stakeholder event, using appreciative inquiry and world café approaches to gather insights and collaboratively shape recommendations for practice and policy.
Key findings in this work emphasised the therapeutic and social value of veteran-specific spaces, where shared humour, identity, and military culture fostered connection and trust which enabled participants to reflect more openly on their experiences. The project also revealed significant barriers to accessing this population, reinforcing the need for further research into improving access, raising awareness and exploring potential barriers and enablers to seeking support. It demonstrated that creative, collaborative methods can elicit valuable insights from under-represented groups and generate meaningful recommendations. Further research is warranted to explore potential barriers and enablers to seeking support for veterans to inform potential service development and improve quality of life for veterans living with dementia.
Source: Manual