Good practice guide supports dementia-inclusive museums and cultural institutions

© M-Museum Leuven, Image: Andy Merregaert An old man with a cane is standing with his back to the camera in a room with colourful and abstract wall art. In front of him a bunch of people are looking at the art.

© M-Museum Leuven, Image: Andy Merregaert

A good practice guide developed by Portugal's Network of Dementia-Inclusive Museums (Rede MiD) provides practical guidance for museums and cultural institutions seeking to create more inclusive experiences for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

The Rede MiD network, consisting of twelve Portuguese institutions, aims to strengthen accessibility and inclusion through training and capacity-building for cultural professionals. As part of this work, Rede MiD has produced a resource to support museums and other cultural venues in designing and delivering programmes tailored to the needs of people affected by dementia.

The guide highlights the important role that museums and cultural institutions can play in promoting wellbeing, social participation and quality of life. It offers recommendations for creating welcoming environments and meaningful cultural experiences for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

The publication is structured in three parts:

  1. Understanding dementia – introducing the main types of dementia, their prevalence, and the experiences of both people living with dementia and their caregivers.
  2. Person-centred approaches and communication – explaining how to apply person-centred principles and offering practical communication strategies that support engagement and participation.
  3. The role of cultural professionals – providing guidance on facilitating activities, encouraging participation, and creating inclusive cultural experiences.