Short answer
Quantify the broader social and economic benefits of design interventions to build stronger cases for their implementation and funding.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- The Gerontologist (2018)
- Method
- Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis
- Sample
- 271 participants (125 people with dementia, 146 caregivers)
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Investing in arts-based activities for individuals with dementia can generate significant social value, demonstrating a robust return on investment. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in The Gerontologist. Using Social return on investment (sroi) analysis with 271 participants (125 people with dementia, 146 caregivers), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Quantify the broader social and economic benefits of design interventions to build stronger cases for their implementation and funding.
Arts interventions for dementia yield a 5:1 social return on investment
Investing in arts-based activities for individuals with dementia can generate significant social value, demonstrating a robust return on investment.
The Gerontologist · 2018
Key Findings
- 01An investment of £189,498 generated a social value of £980,717.
- 02The SROI ratio was approximately 5.18:1, meaning £5.18 of social value was created for every £1 invested.
- 03Sensitivity analysis showed a range of £3.20 to £6.62 social value per £1 invested, depending on assumptions.
Application
Design takeaway
Quantify the broader social and economic benefits of design interventions to build stronger cases for their implementation and funding.
How to apply
When proposing or evaluating social impact design projects, develop a framework to measure and articulate the social return on investment.
Project actions
- 01When designing a project with a social impact, think about how you can measure the 'value' it creates beyond just its function.
- 02Consider using frameworks like SROI to demonstrate the worth of your design to potential funders or stakeholders.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Pioneering application of SROI to arts interventions for dementia.
- +Combines quantitative and qualitative data for a comprehensive analysis.
Limitations
It can be challenging to accurately assign financial values to intangible social benefits like improved quality of life or emotional well-being.
Reliability & validity
Reliability would depend on consistent data collection methods and clear definitions of value. Validity would be enhanced by triangulating data from multiple sources (interviews, surveys) and using established SROI principles.
Think critically
How can the SROI framework be adapted to measure the social return on investment for design projects in other domains, such as environmental sustainability or educational technology?
Design Principles
"Design interventions should aim to maximize social value creation relative to investment."
This research provides a quantitative framework for evaluating the broader societal impact of creative interventions, moving beyond purely clinical outcomes. It offers compelling evidence for stakeholders to justify and fund such programs by highlighting their economic and social benefits.
What This Means for Your Design
Spending money on art programs for people with dementia is a good investment because it creates a lot more value for society than it costs.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the SROI concept to justify the value of your design solution, especially if it addresses a social need.
- 2.Consider how your design could potentially generate social value and how this might be measured in future research.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the potential for design interventions to generate significant social value, as demonstrated by the 5:1 social return on investment for arts activities for individuals with dementia. This underscores the importance of considering the broader societal impact and economic viability when developing design solutions.
Source
The Gerontologist
Dementia and Imagination: A Social Return on Investment Analysis Framework for Art Activities for People Living With Dementia
journal · 2018
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about arts interventions for dementia yield a 5:1 social return on investment?
- Quantify the broader social and economic benefits of design interventions to build stronger cases for their implementation and funding. Evidence: The Gerontologist (2018).
- Why does "Arts interventions for dementia yield a 5:1 social return on investment" matter for design?
- This research provides a quantitative framework for evaluating the broader societal impact of creative interventions, moving beyond purely clinical outcomes. It offers compelling evidence for stakeholders to justify and fund such programs by highlighting their economic and social benefits.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Quantify the broader social and economic benefits of design interventions to build stronger cases for their implementation and funding.
- What were the main findings?
- An investment of £189,498 generated a social value of £980,717.. The SROI ratio was approximately 5.18:1, meaning £5.18 of social value was created for every £1 invested.. Sensitivity analysis showed a range of £3.20 to £6.62 social value per £1 invested, depending on assumptions.
- What research method was used?
- Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis with 271 participants (125 people with dementia, 146 caregivers).
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from The Gerontologist.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When proposing or evaluating social impact design projects, develop a framework to measure and articulate the social return on investment.
- What are the limitations?
- Assumptions made in the SROI calculation, such as the financial value of participants' time and the duration of sustained benefits, can influence the final SROI ratio.