Arts-Based Program for Home-Based Care Dyads in Singapore

Article Information

Creative Arts Educ Ther (2021) 7(2):200–215 DOI: 10.15212/CAET/2021/7/21

Arts-Based Program for Home-Based Care Dyads in Singapore

Abstract

This article describes an arts-based intervention program for seven care dyads of elderly persons and their caregivers who are foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore. The intervention aimed to introduce interdisciplinary tools of artmaking and mindfulness that could be used to improve the communication and relationship between the care dyad and to support the stress reduction and self-care of caregivers. Following a client-based approach, eight sessions were conducted, once weekly, over a 2-month period in hybrid structure, at the home of the care dyad and through the use of Google Meet. Qualitative data were collected in personal interviews, questionnaires, and visual data, and they were connected with art therapists’ fieldnotes and reflection journals. At the end of the program, an online feedback session was offered to the elderly participants’ family members, and their feedback was collected using a questionnaire. The data analysis confirms the impact of the artmaking intervention on the communication and relationship of the dyad. Participants reported that artmaking combined with mindfulness tools contributed to their understanding of their care-recipient (CR)/caregiver, improved their daily care activities, and helped caregivers explore new ways of self-care and stress relief. The hybrid model of implementation was effective and encouraged caregivers to explore and practice the tools learned independently between sessions. The results of this pilot program inform the development of intervention programs for care dyads as well as training programs for both caregivers, art therapists, and other care professionals. The intervention for care dyads highlights the importance of dyadic care as part of a holistic approach to caregiving. The inclusion of FDWs in the program suggests that both CRs and caregivers are one unit in which their well-being is interdependent. Further research may explore specific artmaking activities for other dyads of caregivers and CRs with differing care needs and backgrounds. Potential training activities and models could support the use of this intervention by therapists and other professionals.

Keywords: art-based, mindfulness, care dyad, self-care, homecare, elderly, domestic workers, hybrid intervention, Singapore

摘要

本文介绍了一项以艺术为基础的干预计划, 该计划已应用于新加坡的七对年长者以及担 任其照顾者的外籍家庭佣工。该干预计划旨在引入艺术制作和正念的跨学科工具, 改善 护理二分体 (即年长者与其照顾者形成的一个单位) 之间的沟通和关系, 并支持照顾 者减压和自我照顾。该计划遵循以个案为中心的方法, 历时两个月时间, 以每周一次, 一共八次, 混合式结构的方式, 在护理二分体的家中通过使用 Google Meet 视频会 议进行干预。本研究通过个人访谈、问卷调查和视觉数据收集定性数据, 并将这些数 据与艺术治疗师的实地记录和反思日志结合起来。在干预计划结束时, 计划实施者为 年长参与者的家人提供了一次在线双向反馈会议, 并通过问卷收集了家人的反馈。数据 分析证实了艺术制作干预对护理二分体的沟通和关系的正面影响。参与者报告说, 艺术 制作与正念的工具相结合, 有助于他们了解对方 (照顾者/被照顾者), 改善他们的 日常护理活动, 并帮助照顾者探索自我照顾和缓解压力的新方法。实施的混合式模型 是有效的, 并鼓励照顾者在视频会议干预以外的时间独立探索和练习所学到的工具。 该试点计划的结果为护理二分体干预计划的制定以及照顾者、艺术治疗师和其他护理专 业人员的培训计划提供了信息。针对护理二分体的干预计划强调了二分体式的护理 作为全面护理方法的一个重要组成部分。将外籍家庭佣工纳入该计划表明, 被照顾 者和照顾者是一个单位, 他们的福祉相互依存。进一步的研究可以探索针对其他具有 不同护理需求和背景的照顾者和被照顾者的特定艺术制作活动。潜在的培训活动和 模型也可以支持治疗师和其他专业人员使用这种干预。

关键词： 以艺术为基础, 正念, 护理二分体, 自我照顾, 居家护理, 年长者, 家庭佣工, 混合式干预, 新加坡