Promoting Wellbeing Through Art – Experiences of Using ArtPlayer in Elderly Care

Purpose and Scope
ArtPlayer is a browser-based streaming service that brings visual art and music into care environments, aiming to promote relaxation, enhance wellbeing, and support everyday quality of life for older adults. This pilot testing explored how the application supports individual engagement, fosters social interaction, and integrates into care routines in 24-hour residential care settings.

Testing Environments and Implementation
The solution was tested in two Finnish long-term care facilities: Attendo Kuninkaanhaka and Ruskatalot Palveluyhdistys ry. Testing involved both individual and group sessions, using ArtPlayer on tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. Experiences were gathered from residents, care staff, and relatives through observation, informal discussions, feedback journals, surveys, and group interviews.

Key Observations

• Relaxation and Positive Mood: ArtPlayer helped create a calm and soothing atmosphere, especially in the evenings. Several residents visibly relaxed, and in some cases, fell asleep peacefully during viewing sessions. Light classical or cheerful background music was typically preferred.
• Emotional Impact and Memories: The combination of music and visual content often evoked strong emotional responses and personal memories. Familiar landscapes and classical artworks sparked storytelling and shared reflections, especially among residents living with dementia.
• Social Engagement: Shared viewing sessions fostered communal moments and spontaneous conversation. Even residents who normally stayed in their rooms were drawn to join the group, generating a sense of belonging and meaningful interaction.
• Stimulation and Individual Activity: The tool proved useful for supporting personalized engagement. For example, viewing artworks sometimes inspired residents to paint, explore new topics, or go on a “virtual journey.” Tailored settings allowed residents’ interests and preferences to be respected.
• Ease of Use: Staff reported that the application was intuitive and easy to use. It required minimal instruction and worked smoothly across devices. Once staff experienced its calming effects and benefits, enthusiasm for regular use grew.

Development Suggestions
Based on the pilot, the following suggestions were raised to further enhance user experience:

• Enable skipping or changing music tracks if they don’t suit the mood
• Option to upload personal images (e.g., family photos)
• Include more Finnish music and local nature scenes
• Add a pause button and improve image transition control in group settings
• Simplify settings access on TVs for easier use with remote controls

Conclusions
ArtPlayer was positively received as an innovative and engaging tool that enriches the daily life of elderly residents. It provided an alternative to traditional television and enabled new ways to interact, relax, and reminisce. As part of an activity-based care culture, it supported both individual wellbeing and community spirit. Staff emphasized that meaningful care is not just about completing tasks, but being present and sharing moments — and ArtPlayer offered a simple yet powerful way to do just that.

Read more about ArtPlayer https://www.artplayer.com/

The testing was carried out in collaboration with Ruskatalot Palveluyhdistys ry as part of the EHEÄ project, and with Attendo Kuninkaanhaka as part of the IKI project. Both projects are co-funded by the European Union.

Text: Mervi Vähätalo