Memory Boxes Prove Nostalgic for Care Home Residents

Memory Boxes Prove Nostalgic for Care Home Residents

We’re all thinking a lot about happier times at the moment and residents at Edward Moore House Residential Care Home in Gravesend are too, as they’ve been digging into their memory boxes.

The memory box project, which the home launched last year, saw the activity staff fill boxes, with the support of the residents’ loved ones, with various items which would prompt positive memories for the resident and thus become a talking point.

The memory boxes can contain anything that fits and stirs up a happy memory, but examples include photo albums, souvenirs, recipe cards, dried flowers and drawings from grandchildren. A well put together memory box can be an excellent way of helping a person living with dementia recall happy memories, as well as reducing anxiety and distress.

Since the project started, many memory boxes have been created for the residents and staff have noticed how beneficial they have been.

Melanie Martin, Deputy Manager at Edward Moore House said: “The memory box project was a very simple idea but one which has proven to be incredibly effective in enhancing interaction and reminiscence.

“The boxes are great for generating discussion between the staff and residents, enabling them to learn new things about one another and the lives they led before they came to us.”