The aim of the project "Art Therapy as an empathic tool to strengthen and maintain the cognitive, physical and relational skills of people with dementia" is to share and transfer knowledge, guidelines, and procedures in the use of art therapy as tool able to stimulate learning, socialization and the increase of transversal skills of adults suffering from neuro-cognitive diseases. The partnership aims to deepen new models and methodologies through study visits and replicate and experiment with them in their respective contexts. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life of people with dementia and to encourage the development of cultural and artistic activities aimed at the elderly.
AlphaZTL, which carries out workshop activities in settings such as prisons, rehabilitation institutions, and daycare centers for people with neuro-cognitive diseases, presented this project to help disseminate the arts as a concrete tool to support the autonomy and quality of life of people with dementia, minimizing cognitive and behavioral decline. Despite the availability of art therapies, their implementation, particularly in the local context, is not widespread. Their potential to improve the quality of life of people with neuro-cognitive diseases is little exploited. Our European partnership project arose from the need to raise awareness and motivate people with neuro-cognitive disorders, family members, carers, and practitioners about the importance of art therapy in enhancing their quality of life. All partners shared the need to exchange on a European level with those who directly apply art therapy to combat dementia daily, in order to compare results and mistakes to be avoided. All partners are carriers of good practice and collaborate nationally with different facilities that apply art therapy against dementia.