City of York Council has invested in 3 reminiscence pods for use in the city's care homes to help residents live well with their dementia.
Each pod has a different theme - a garden shed, a 1940s shop and a pub - all fully furnished and stocked with appropriate items. Each has been carefully designed to stimulate residents' early memories and encourage them to share their life experiences.
The benefits of reminiscence in dementia care
There is growing evidence that reminiscence work, particularly when done a one-on-one basis, can improve mood, wellbeing and some mental abilities such as memory.
Helping residents to share their early memories can boost their self-esteem by focussing attention on what they can remember rather than what they can't, and can help combat the isolation and loneliness so many feel.
“Many people living with dementia find it very comforting and reassuring to talk about past experiences. The pods provide a complete environment with things to see, touch and interact with, they help staff to start conversations with residents about their lives, as well as enabling residents to browse round the new environments and recall memories and experiences from when they were growing up.
The pop-up reminiscence pods
The pods, costing a total of £4,000, are fully moveable and will be available for use at all 5 of York Council's care homes. A spokesperson for the local authority said that they may also be used in sheltered housing accommodation in future.
The care homes - Haxby Hall, Morrell House, Willow House, Windsor House, and Woolnough House – all offer dementia care, and three are specialist dementia care facilities.
“These pods are yet another way we can help to make life easier and more enjoyable for people living with dementia. Figures show that there are just under 3,000 people living with dementia in York at present and, with this figure set to rise further over the next few years, it’s vitally important that we find new and innovative ways to support people with dementia, their families and carers.”
