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Dementia care at South Tees Hospitals inspired by the past | Dementia care at South Tees Hospitals inspired by the past |
(25 days later) | |
The touchscreen display flashes up newspaper front pages covering historical events. | The touchscreen display flashes up newspaper front pages covering historical events. |
Another set shows old high streets from decades ago, buildings long since flattened standing tall over shoppers dressed in the fashions of the day. | Another set shows old high streets from decades ago, buildings long since flattened standing tall over shoppers dressed in the fashions of the day. |
Traditional seaside holiday scenes are featured alongside old school photographs. | Traditional seaside holiday scenes are featured alongside old school photographs. |
All these visual reminders are designed to trigger memories in dementia patients on Teesside. | All these visual reminders are designed to trigger memories in dementia patients on Teesside. |
Staff at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough are demonstrating the My Life Software which uses photographs, news clips and even karaoke to provide a stimulus. | Staff at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough are demonstrating the My Life Software which uses photographs, news clips and even karaoke to provide a stimulus. |
"It's all about generating ideas for discussion," clinical educator Gina Warren said. | "It's all about generating ideas for discussion," clinical educator Gina Warren said. |
"Even things like remembering that shops used to close for half a day on a Wednesday could start a conversation." | "Even things like remembering that shops used to close for half a day on a Wednesday could start a conversation." |
'Lonely existence' | 'Lonely existence' |
The computer program is a form of "structured reminiscence therapy" aimed at helping people with dementia retain a sense of who they are. | |
"A lot of these people spend a lot of time in hospital on their own," clinical educator Helen Robinson said. | "A lot of these people spend a lot of time in hospital on their own," clinical educator Helen Robinson said. |
"It can be quite a lonely existence. Getting people interacting and talking is a must and photos are such a stimulating thing. | "It can be quite a lonely existence. Getting people interacting and talking is a must and photos are such a stimulating thing. |
"Instead of seeing the patient you start to see the person." | "Instead of seeing the patient you start to see the person." |
Staff are appealing for more images from around Teesside and North Yorkshire to be used at James Cook and also the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton. | Staff are appealing for more images from around Teesside and North Yorkshire to be used at James Cook and also the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton. |
They're also collecting items for "rummage boxes" - things like Oxo tins, ration books and old coins which can be used as physical stimulators. | They're also collecting items for "rummage boxes" - things like Oxo tins, ration books and old coins which can be used as physical stimulators. |
While many of the photographs date from the 1950s and earlier, the trust is keen to add more recent images and other material. | While many of the photographs date from the 1950s and earlier, the trust is keen to add more recent images and other material. |
Ms Warren said: "I think the common misconception is that dementia only affects grandmas and granddads but it can affect young people as well. | Ms Warren said: "I think the common misconception is that dementia only affects grandmas and granddads but it can affect young people as well. |
"You do occasionally get someone who's in their 40s who still has their children at home." | "You do occasionally get someone who's in their 40s who still has their children at home." |
The software allows patients to build their own life story with personal photographs, favourite songs and the opportunity to sing along with karaoke. | The software allows patients to build their own life story with personal photographs, favourite songs and the opportunity to sing along with karaoke. |
Ms Warren believes using the material - "low-tech" versions are available - can also help relatives of people with dementia. | Ms Warren believes using the material - "low-tech" versions are available - can also help relatives of people with dementia. |
"Family and friends will feel that they're hopeless and there's nothing they can do," she said. | "Family and friends will feel that they're hopeless and there's nothing they can do," she said. |
"That can be really disempowering, but, if you can give them a tool that they can use with the patient, it benefits the relationship between them." | "That can be really disempowering, but, if you can give them a tool that they can use with the patient, it benefits the relationship between them." |
Anyone wishing to donate items or photographs to the team can contact 01642 854699. | Anyone wishing to donate items or photographs to the team can contact 01642 854699. |
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