Creative Journeys Report 2019

80 Creative Journeys open-ended process of social exchange and is argued to be beneficial for both individual and community as it reinforces relationships, increases trust and expands social capital, and is a central source of well-being (Karisto, 2018). Through residents engagement in the arts many examples were given in the findings where residents were able to transcend their role as dependent on others and contribute more and/or equally to relationships with others. For example, by sharing their stories and skills with each other and also with staff, having conversations with family members based on new experiences, supporting, encouraging and praising others, developing shared interests and taking on a role of responsibility such as group leader within a session. These changes in role and expectations engender the type of reciprocal relationships identified by Wilson, Davies and Nolan (2009) outlined in the introduction of this report where ‘reciprocal relationships’ that value the contributions of residents, staff and family members in creating a sense of community are seen as a counterbalance to ‘pragmatic relationships’ that are concerned with the functional aspects of care and ‘personal and responsive relationships’ that consider the specific needs of individual residents. Older people in residential care settings often experience a loss of independence and autonomy due to the physical and/or mental deterioration of health as well as regulations that ensure efficient and effective care. This is often described as a loss of agency. Maintaining a sense of agency can greatly influence the well-being of older people and their capacity to make a valued contribution to the world around them. This approach is particularly useful in care home settings: where interactions amongst older people and between older people and care staff are the key relationships affecting agency.