The aim of the evaluation was to provide a full assessment of the effectiveness of the RADIQL programme using HM Treasury Green Book consistent methods. The RADIQL intervention was tested on six care homes in the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark, and the results compared against six care homes designated as control sites. Thirty five people completed the 24-week RADIQL programme. Individuals in the control group received no change to their normal care regime. The report details methodology used for gathering data about the programme’s impact on participants’ quality of life, and discusses the results of the study as well as a cost analysis of Reminiscence Arts practice in light of study results. Overall, a positive relationship between completing the RADIQL programme and quality of life and positive behavior measures was noted.

RADIQL (Reminiscence Arts and Dementia Impact on Quality of Life) was a 3 year programme designed to evaluate the practice and impact of Reminiscence Arts on the well-being of people with dementia living in Southwark and Lambeth in South London. Throughout the period of the intervention Age Exchange’s professional team delivered a combination of weekly group and one to one interventions working with 12 partner residential settings.

Reminiscence Arts is wholly focused on using creativity linked with personal history in order to enrich caring relationships in the present. Along with an intensive programme of activity for participants with dementia, RADIQL comprised a structured training and mentoring programme for care staff in supporting them in adopting Reminiscence Arts activity and principles in their working lives.

Fujiwara, D. & Lawton, R. (2015). Evaluation of the Reminiscence Arts and Dementia: Impact on Quality of Life (RADIQL) programme in six care homes. London: Simetrica.