A LANCASHIRE hospital is helping patients who are struggling with dementia by recreating familiar everyday settings in the ward.
Staff at the The Harbour mental health hospital in Blackpool have created lifelike settings from days gone by, to help residents who are struggling with unfamiliar surroundings to feel more at ease.
They have created four everyday settings to help residents feel safe, calm and mentally stimulated including a corner shop, train carriage, a relaxing view of the beach and a laundrette.
This is part of their reminiscence therapy which uses the discussion of memories, past experiences, photographs, music and props to stimulate conversation.
Lorraine Poppleton, Matron on Bronte Ward at The Harbour, a service run by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCft) said: “Following the success of front door wraps last year, which helped our residents navigate their way back to their bedrooms, we wanted to expand their sensory experiences.
Recreating familiar experiences such as a train journey, coffee at a local café, or a trip to the laundrette, supports residents through routine, to focus and reorientate if they feel confused or distressed.
“Navigating their way between the settings and day-to-day tasks, helps people to re-live memories, be in the moment and share stories with other residents and staff on the ward.
“The new settings have proved most affective during a time in the day we refer to as ‘sundowning’ – typically between late afternoon and early evening. It’s a time when our residents can feel most confused.
We all need a point of focus at this time of day like finishing work, heading home or socialising. People living with dementia equally need that focus and ‘somewhere to be’ during these times. Our everyday settings gently help residents navigate themselves through their routine to end the day well, reducing the risk of worry, uncertainty and anxiety.”
“We are really pleased with the impact they’ve had so far, it has really helped to grow our engagement with residents.”
To find out more, visit The Harbour, or for more information on dementia care at LSCft.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here