A 3-month Cycle of Weekly Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Tours

Social isolation is a major problem for the Canadian society because of its: (1) high prevalence in the older population (30% in individuals aged 65 and over, which represents 1.5 million individuals), (2) association with a wide range of mental and physical health problems and (3) increased use of health and social services. Museum art-based activities have demonstrated benefits on an individual's sense of social inclusion, their well-being, their quality of life and physical frailty. Few studies have examined the effects of the participation in museum art-based activities in older community members experiencing social isolation. In 2019, the team conducted an experimental pilot study comprised of pre-post intervention, single arm, prospective and a longitudinal follow-up. This experiment indicated that a 3-month cycle of weekly visits to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) in the form of a guided tour may improve the social inclusion of socially isolated older adults. We hypothesize that it is possible to reproduce these previous positive results using a mixed methods approach that combines: (1) a qualitative phase comprised of observation of the guided tours; semi-structured interviews, focus groups and an analysis of relevant organizational documents; (2) a quantitative phase based on a randomized clinical trial (RCT). Over a two-year period, we will examine whether and how a 3-month cycle of weekly MMFA tours may (1) improve social inclusion, well-being and quality of life, and (2) reduce frailty in older community members, living in Montreal, who are experiencing social isolation. The study includes the participation of community workers who work with socially isolated older Montrealers, members of this community, as well as museum works and administrators. Our research will not only include information on how the museum experience has affected older adults. It will incorporate feedback from all of these participants leading to an evaluation of the program offered by the museum to better serve the future needs and desires of this population. It will also benefit the participating organizations.