Art in Alzheimer's Care: Promoting Well-Being in People with Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the responses of people with late-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) to a creative bonding intervention (CBI). The CBI consisted of simple art activities. Guided by Reed's self-transcendence theory, research questions were "Will persons with late-stage AD show evidence of self-transcendence during the CBI?" and "Will persons with late-stage AD show evidence of well-being during the CBI?" Twelve CBI sessions, documented by videotape and field notes, were conducted with four participants. Themes emerged within two clusters: trusting/thirsting/following and choosing/connecting/reminiscing. An overarching category of "cocooning" described participants' world during the CBI as they displayed evidence of self-transcendence and well-being. The CBI is a strategy that can be implemented by staff families, and volunteers. Nurses are positioned to provide transformation leadership for implementation of creative approaches during care of people with late-stage AD, but administrative and financial support are needed.