Health care staff win bursary for reminiscence therapy idea
REMINISCENCE therapy using photographs, favourite songs and clips from old films will be used at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital to help patients with cognitive impairment, such as dementia, who may otherwise feel distressed or anxious.
Three local health care professionals won the £2,000 top prize bursary from the Insurance Corporation to put into action their idea for the innovative type of therapy.
By sharing memories from the past through reminiscence therapy, people with dementia can develop more positive feelings while reducing agitation.
The interactive touchscreen equipment allows patients to use apps and games as part of their hospital recovery.
With minimal prompting, such as simple questions about iconic films or screen legends, individuals with cognitive problems may recall memories from childhood and young adulthood.
Reminiscing about memories can help people feel more confident in their abilities and provide them with the opportunity to talk about what holds meaning for them, as well as providing relief from boredom and symptoms of depression.
Debi Harris, Moira Norman and Olwen Bain-Brehaut were ‘over the moon’ to win the award, and be able to help patients on their wards feel less isolated and more connected to the present.
Ms Harris, a Sister on Carey Ward said the technology could have a wonderful impact.
‘It takes away the scariness of the ward and it keeps patients more engaged during the day so they can sleep better at night, because what we sometimes find in the hospital is that patients might sleep a lot during the day and then become very wakeful at night when we have less staff around, and we get worried about falls.’
Three pieces of special equipment, similar in size to iPads, will now be bought and kept on Carey, Brock and Le Marchant wards initially.
It was stressed that the new machines promote sociability, and whole bays of patients can take part in leisure activities such as karaoke, bingo, jigsaws and even exercise classes.
The runner-up award of £1,000 was presented to Health & Social Care trainee scientist Zoe Andrews, who wants to organise tours of the lab for sick children, to help them understand more about their tests and samples, and empower them with knowledge.
Ms Andrews also wants to get all island children excited about science.
‘The main focus for me was getting all the children in education to visit the laboratory and see what goes on and also inspire a future workforce.
‘The laboratory is so interesting, it’s brilliant.
‘I feel like a child going to work everyday, I really love it and I’m very passionate about it.’
The other finalists were Carly Hearn and Anja Rozema, who wanted to improve the mental health service provided in the Emergency Department, and Suzanne Fallaize, whose initiative was called ‘supporting the journey through critical care and beyond’.
n The Insurance Corporation has been funding special bursaries for Health & Social Care staff since 1991, and, in presenting the awards, Commercial Director Sarah Beatty said it was important that the corporate sector gave back to the community.
