As we celebrate VE Day tomorrow, it is without doubt that memories will be stirred along with a wide variety of emotions.
According to the Social Care Institute for Excellence ‘Reminiscence’ means sharing life experiences, memories and stories from the past. Typically, a person with dementia is more able to recall things from many years ago than recent memories, so reminiscence draws on this strength. So many of our conversations and interactions rely on short-term memory. Reminiscence can give people with dementia a sense of competence and confidence through using a skill they still have.
We all possess memories, we all have our own unique life history. Recalling the past is a means of owning it and hence preserving ourselves. It is a here and now process which holds the teller and the told in relationship with each other.
Many people with dementia find themselves routinely having things done ‘for’ them or ‘to’ them. When a person shares something about their past and another person shows interest or enjoyment, it is a wonderful opportunity for that person to feel that they are the one who is giving something to another human being, rather than always being the one who is receiving or listening.
Talking about the past can also bring up happy memories and good feelings, and this can be wonderful in itself, but particularly if a person is finding life difficult.
It is also the case that reminiscence can sometimes provoke painful memories. Emotional reactions are not necessarily a bad thing, but we need to respond sensitively.
So, if you feel that the person you care for might enjoy spending some time ‘reminiscing’ – English Heritage have put together some ideas to help set the scene.
For some people with dementia, trying to explain to them that this celebration is so many years on may be really confusing for them, if this happens try not to get bogged down in the detail- just enjoy the experience of sharing memories.
Comments from our service manager for Mental Health & Wellbeing, Sarah Potter
