Impact evaluation of a dementia-friendly community mural: Planting a seed for change

Stigma against persons living with dementia negatively impacts their quality of life. One of the aims of dementia-friendly community initiatives is to reconstruct public perceptions of dementia through dementia awareness campaigns. In this paper we present the findings of an evaluation of the impact of a Canadian dementia-friendly community mural on raising awareness about dementia, and lessons learned from the process undertaken to create the mural. Using a practical participatory evaluation research approach, the research questions and data collection methods were co-created with the team that led the community mural, which was comprised of four people living with dementia. Numerous data collection methods were used to support this outcome evaluation including observations, interviews and focus groups, and social media tracking. Findings indicate that while the process of creating the mural, and the mural itself, have planted a seed for increased dementia awareness and inclusion of persons living with dementia in the community, to create social change complementary awareness raising efforts are needed.