NHS hospitals are going back to the future to help patients with dementia by decorating their wards, rooms and corridors in 1940s and 1950s style – creating a calming, familiar environment which can help jog memories, reduce anxiety and distress.
With ageing well and caring for people with dementia both key priorities in the NHS Long Term Plan, hospitals across the country have revamped their dementia ward decor, with innovations ranging from a ‘memories pub’ to 1950s style ‘reminiscence rooms’ and even a cinema booth where patients can watch old films.
Welcoming the innovations, Alistair Burns, National Clinical Director for Dementia and Older People’s Mental Health for NHS England and NHS Improvement said: “Hospital can be a frightening place for many people but can prove a bigger challenge for people with dementia who might feel more confused and agitated in an unfamiliar environment. Having a dementia-friendly place to stay may help these patients adjust better to their surroundings, lessen the likelihood of falls and reduce their reliance on medicine."
Source: NHS England, 24 September 2019
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment