What is already available?
Resources
I couldn’t find any specific information about a reminiscence therapy project for dementia patients.
Taken from the website:
The Local Studies and Archives Centre holds a range of material which can be helpful for those living with dementia, but, in most cases, it will require some work on the part of the carer to create a tailor made pack in an accessible format. Many old documents are hard to read and may need transcribing or editing. Below we have listed some of the useful material, it is generally possible to photocopy items or to photograph on a digital camera.
What is Memory Shots?
Taken from the website:
In short, ‘Memory Shots’ is a digital tool to help trigger dementia patients’ memories of which no photographs exist, to recollect and immortalize such preserved memories in newly generated pictures, as an innovative added part to the existing ‘Reminiscence therapy’. As such, “Memory Shots” allows to reconnect and stimulates interaction with patients suffering of dementia.
‘Memory Shots’ was developed with the support of STOP ALZHEIMER, EXPERTISECENTRUM DEMENTIE VLAANDEREN, ALZHEIMER LIGA VLAANDEREN, BALUCHON ALZHEIMER en ALZHEIMER BELGIQUE – to be widely accessible for any dementia treatment centers and all people who are in touch with patients suffering from dementia.
What is Rememo?
Taken from the website:
For dementia patients, reminiscence therapy with personal or archive photos can be too specific or general. Rememo uses AI images created through a card-based storytelling activity, giving seniors autonomy and boosting efficiency for therapists.
Taken from the website:
The BBC Reminiscence Archive (or RemArc) was developed by the BBC, Dundee University and University of St Andrews, and built by Atos as a tool to support people with dementia and carers.
Taken from the website:
The Memory Archive is a curated account of 24 Collections divided into relevant themes and decades (within living memory) available on the People’s Collection Wales website. The Memory Archive can be used for ‘simple reminiscence’ work and for ‘life story’ work, which looks at a particular person’s life from birth to the present day.
The British Library’s Digital Collections
The British Library offers digitised versions of manuscripts, audio archives, and historical documents. This is a vast repository, but the focus leans heavily on rare manuscripts, books, and sound recordings from a broad span of history.
Europeana
Europeana is a digital platform that provides access to millions of books, artworks, films, and audio files from across Europe. While it does have historical content, the platform is more of an aggregate of many types of cultural heritage items, and not specifically organised around reminiscence or dementia care.
The Library of Congress Digital Collections
The Library of Congress boasts one of the largest online collections of historical photographs, manuscripts, and sound recordings. While incredibly rich in content, it is primarily a research-focused tool rather than one designed with user engagement for memory care or specific decades in mind.
USC Shoah Foundation
(Please be aware: Difficult and Emotional Content)This foundation focuses on testimonies of survivors of genocide, with a specific focus on visual and audio recordings. While this is a powerful educational tool, it focuses on one specific historical theme and doesn’t offer the variety of decades or types of media that this project intends to provide.
Projects
Sparking Memories Intergenerational Project
Taken from the website:
A group of A-Level students from Leeds City College and residents from Simon Marks Court came together to work on Sparking Memories. Over eight weeks the group explored the M&S Archive, and created a collaborative artwork to go on display at the care home.
Intergenerational practice aims to bring people together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities which promote greater understanding and respect between generations.
The archive collection is full of objects and images that can be used in reminiscence therapy; working with groups of different ages can uncover new ways of looking at and using the collection.
Rachel Bakewell 