Many older adults experience memory problems, and for many, these are a source of concern. Yet more can be done than many people realize: up to 45 percent of dementia risk factors are considered modifiable, for example through cognitive and social activity. This is precisely where the Healthy Museum project comes in. The interdisciplinary initiative led by the University for Continuing Education Krems explored whether museums can become places that actively promote brain health in older adults.
A total of 68 participants aged 60 and over took part in seven four-week courses, with an average of nine to ten participants per group. Rather than guiding large groups through the galleries, museum educators focused on individualized facilitation. Following the principles of slow viewing, each session centred on just three or four exhibits, complemented by group discussions and activities designed to engage multiple senses. Participation was free of charge.
More than a museum visit
“There is an urgent need to develop high-quality multidisciplinary programmes that motivate people to adopt a more active lifestyle,” says Univ.-Prof. emer. Dr. Stefanie Auer, project leader and Head of the Department for Dementia Research and Nursing Science at the University for Continuing Education Krems. “An essential element of these programmes is recognising and responding to each person's individual needs. Everyone should learn how to maintain brain health well into old age and where to find opportunities to connect with like-minded people – for example, in a museum.”
Preliminary analyses paint a promising picture and underline the need for such programmes. After completing the course, participants reported feeling better than before, and many said they felt less lonely thanks to the group experience. “It's wonderful that we have people to talk to here,” one participant remarked. “When you're at home, you sometimes find yourself talking to yourself.”
Culture that brings people together
Co-project leader Univ.-Prof. Dr. Anja Grebe, Professor of Cultural History and Museum Collections Studies at the University for Continuing Education Krems and Head of the Center for Cultures and Technologies of Collecting, placed these findings in the broader context of museum studies. She highlighted the important societal role museums can play when professional museum education lowers barriers to participation and encourages dialogue and social interaction through the shared experience of viewing art and historical objects.
“Museums are important points of connection between the past and the future. In an increasingly fast-paced world, they invite visitors to slow down and enjoy art,” says Grebe. “Guided by professional museum educators, encounters with art become catalysts for memories, spark curiosity and creativity, and encourage meaningful exchange.”
According to Grebe, the pilot project demonstrates both the success of inclusive museum education and the need for further research. “The secret of the Healthy Museum lies in repetition and community,” she explains. “It is the four weekly sessions that turn a museum visit into a regular habit, and it is the shared experience of looking at objects together that creates the foundation for enriching discussion.”
Benefits for museums
Julia Häußler of Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna outlined what the project can offer museums themselves. The Healthy Museum concept enables cultural institutions to expand their educational mission by promoting health, social participation, quality of life, and well-being. In doing so, museums can strengthen their role as inclusive places of encounter that bring people together and contribute to social cohesion.
Combining museum education with health promotion also opens up new opportunities for cooperation with healthcare and social service providers, as well as for attracting external funding. What began as a research project has the potential to become an integral part of museum education, demonstrating the societal relevance of museums while strengthening their long-term sustainability.
About the project
Launched in December 2023, the project was funded by Fonds Gesundes Österreich (Austrian Health Promotion Fund) and Wiener Gesundheitsförderung (Vienna Health Promotion). It was specifically designed for people aged 60 and over. In cooperation with Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Wien Museum, Albertina, Technisches Museum Wien, and Wiener Bezirksmuseen (Vienna's district museums), the project piloted educational programmes that combine cognitive stimulation with opportunities for social interaction.
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