Being admitted to this busy environment can be frightening and upsetting for Anyone, imagine if the patient has cognitive impairment, how frightening Might this be?
How might a change in an environment and in a persons daily routine, impact on their wellbeing and behaviour?
What can we do to support the person in this situation?
This was the question that led to the introduction of four fabulous Rempods, pop up reminiscence rooms, across four elderly care wards at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
So what do our Rempods look like?
Four fabulous, transportable rooms, a potting shed, two vintage tea rooms and a sweet shop, are filled with authentic furniture and memorabilia from previous eras. These provide a calm, therapeutic and nostalgic environment away from the busy acute ward settings, which is really beneficial in improving the persons well being, and self esteem
This holistic, person centred approach will help to stimulate the person, promoting communication, interaction and socialisation. Whilst also reducing loneliness and isolation.
Our reminiscence Pods evoke memories of the past, inspiring patients with cognitive impairment or living with dementia to talk about these. We appreciate that every person with cognitive impairment is unique, with individual needs.
Using reminiscence Pods enables us to enter into their world, allowing us, as “outsiders” to share their memories, and understand and appreciate what is important to them, as a person.
The rooms have created a fun and social space where families can really interact with their loved ones; we can share lots of lovely, powerful stories of how these rooms have made a positive impact on our patient’s hospital experience. One patient visited the vintage tea room with his daughter who said “This is great. Dad recognises some of the music on the radio, he’s enjoying his coffee and the teapot looks familiar. Stirring memories in this way gives us a better quality of time together, as dad remembers things; we can talk about them together, as a family... It’s a much less hospital-type environment as well, it’s more like being at home, which makes him feel calmer and more at ease”.
The memories evoked by being in a comfortable and familiar environment, and the calming effect it can have, are amazing. Another example of how this works was evident when a patient, who used to be a gardener, spent time in our potting shed. This activity helped him remember the job he once did, he used resources in the room to carry out some of the tasks he remembered and enjoyed.
Using activities, looking at hobbies and interests that provided pleasure in the past is important .These stimulating activities help foster emotional connections with others. They encourage self-expression, lessen the anxiety and irritability that Dementia and acute Hospital admissions, may bring.
We believe, our new Rempods, help and support patients living with Dementia to feel valued, empowered and more engaged with life.