Nostalgic collection in ward relives memories from the past
Elderly patients are feeling more lonely and bored when visiting is suspended during the pandemic. In the geriatric wards in Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH), reminiscence therapy had been used to its fullest with dementia-friendly decorations and old photos, bringing joy and memories to patients with dementia while relieving their symptoms.
Reminiscence therapy is a treatment that uses all the senses to trigger elderly patients with the memories of the past. As part of the therapy, old photos and objects are used. While recalling things in the past, patients can express their emotions, thereby helping them to stabilise their moods, enhance their cognitive ability and build a more positive self-image. Dr Stanley Tam, Deputy Hospital Chief Executive of HKBH, shares his view on the therapy. “In this geriatric ward, the items pave a nostalgic journey for reminiscence therapy. Amid the outbreak of COVID-19, family visits had to be suspended and our elderly patients would inevitably feel empty without companies. These objects, however, have the power to bring them back to the past and fill them with happiness. This works particularly well on patients with dementia.”
There is a variety of nostalgic items in the glass cabinet in the ward, including the red head pieces for Chinese opera, tin toys from 60s and 70s as well as domestic essentials, such as kerosene stove, sewing machine, rotary dial phone and mail box. On the side of the cabinet, photos of streetscapes in the 70s had been put up on the wall so that the patients could feel like going back to the old days. Additionally, dementia-friendly elements had been adopted in the ward design. For example, the door exit had been covered with the sticker of supermarket shelves and bookshelves in order to prevent the patients from missing after leaving the room.
Besides, a nostalgia-themed photography competition was held earlier to collect photos with old Hong Kong style, such as traditional snacks, historic landmarks and old transportation. The winning photos will be featured on the wall of the corridor to the medical ward, and as part of the reminiscence therapy, to relive the good old days of the patients.
Reminiscence therapy is a treatment that uses all the senses to trigger elderly patients with the memories of the past. As part of the therapy, old photos and objects are used. While recalling things in the past, patients can express their emotions, thereby helping them to stabilise their moods, enhance their cognitive ability and build a more positive self-image. Dr Stanley Tam, Deputy Hospital Chief Executive of HKBH, shares his view on the therapy. “In this geriatric ward, the items pave a nostalgic journey for reminiscence therapy. Amid the outbreak of COVID-19, family visits had to be suspended and our elderly patients would inevitably feel empty without companies. These objects, however, have the power to bring them back to the past and fill them with happiness. This works particularly well on patients with dementia.”
There is a variety of nostalgic items in the glass cabinet in the ward, including the red head pieces for Chinese opera, tin toys from 60s and 70s as well as domestic essentials, such as kerosene stove, sewing machine, rotary dial phone and mail box. On the side of the cabinet, photos of streetscapes in the 70s had been put up on the wall so that the patients could feel like going back to the old days. Additionally, dementia-friendly elements had been adopted in the ward design. For example, the door exit had been covered with the sticker of supermarket shelves and bookshelves in order to prevent the patients from missing after leaving the room.
Besides, a nostalgia-themed photography competition was held earlier to collect photos with old Hong Kong style, such as traditional snacks, historic landmarks and old transportation. The winning photos will be featured on the wall of the corridor to the medical ward, and as part of the reminiscence therapy, to relive the good old days of the patients.
