Sharing a Memory and breaking the silence

Shropshire Museums and Shropshire Libraries are launching a new service for Shropshire residents living at home and caring for a loved one who is suffering from dementia.  From late July 2013, a pilot set of “Shared Memory” cases will be available for three-week loans from Bridgnorth Library, and all you need to borrow one is a library card.

The first five cases have been developed in partnership with Emily Middleton, senior occupational therapist from South Shropshire Community Memory Service.  A large part of Emily’s role is to develop group sessions and alternative treatments to medication for those suffering from dementia. 

Emily said:

“‘Living well with Dementia’ activity can slow down the progression of the disease and improve concentration, which is why we fully support the development of these reminiscence cases.”

Using easily-carried laptop cases, each themed collection of material includes three   evocative objects that explore different aspects of the topic, with accompanying notes and conversation starters, a visual follow up pack of photos or pictures, a verbal follow up pack, with related reminiscence or poetry, two reusable activities related to the topic, a CD of related music or songs, and a “Pictures to Share” book or similar.

Seaside, football, time for tea, schooldays and pocket money were the first themes chosen for development by Shropshire Museums, and all five cases have been used by Emily’s team in their everyday work. They have been finding out what works well and what needs further development, and feeding back their ideas and suggestions to Sarah Griffiths, Shropshire Museums’ education officer, and Kath George, Shropshire Libraries’ manager for health and well-being.

Dementia case worker Paul found the football collection particularly useful as many of his clients are men who responded well to the old football shirt, the football rattle and the photographs of past star players.

Paul said:

“They work well to break the silence, and they will be particularly useful for carers who can borrow them for three weeks and enjoy dipping into them for short bursts of activity with their partner or friend who is living with dementia.”

Emily tried using the seaside collection, and loved having fun with the Mr Punch puppet and listening to the sound of the sea through the large shell.  The saucy Donald McGill postcards and railway posters got the conversation going, while sounds of the Mighty Wurlitzer from the CD bought back memories for some.

The Shared Memory cases will be handed over to Bridgnorth Library on Friday 26 July 2013 at 10am, and will be available to members of the public holding a library card for a three week loan. 

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for libraries, said:

“These first five cases are a pilot project, and Shropshire Museums and Shropshire Libraries will be looking to see how successful they are, learning what works well and what needs changing.  Meanwhile, the work starts to look for funding to develop more cases, so that every library across the county can have a selection of cases available for their customers to borrow.”