From December the Mauritshuis will offer special guided tours in Dutch for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. The programme is offered in cooperation with Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and the Van Abbe Museum in Eindhoven. During the Unforgettable Mauritshuis tour the participants will view a number of paintings from the collection and be encouraged to talk about them. Unforgettable focuses on the enjoyment of art; no prior knowledge is required. By sharing stories, memories, associations and ideas, participants interact with one another to bring the objects to life. The guide encourages interaction with creative assignments. Each month will focus on a different theme.
During the Unforgettable tour the emphasis lies on what we can all enjoy – an engaging and inspirational museum visit. By looking at works of art, people with dementia can exchange ideas with their nearest and dearest without having to seek recourse to their short-term memory. The guided tour opens up long-term memories and personal experiences, stimulating social contact. Research shows this to be beneficial to health: those taking part in the Unforgettable tours said afterwards they felt happier and had regained a sense of being valued. The experience boosts self-confidence and feelings of self-esteem. Through Unforgettable the Mauritshuis offers a safe and stimulating environment in which participants can meet other in the same circumstances.
