Murals showing well-known local landmarks are becoming major talking points in local specialist dementia-care nursing homes run by Camelot Care in Somerset and Devon, with more planned by the specialist dementia care-provider because of their noticeable impact on residents’ sense of well-being.
At Camelot House in Wellington, a large mural of Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor (pictured) is proving a firm favourite with residents, prompting them to share their memories about the reservoir which has been a favourite destination for ‘days out’ since it was created in 1979.
Meanwhile residents at Camelot Care’s Freshfields Nursing Home in Plymouth are revelling in their memories of special moments at Plymouth Hoe, thanks to the installation at their home of a large mural featuring a photo of the landmark.
And upstairs at Freshfields another newly-installed mural showing an autumnal scene in a local wood, captured by activities co-ordinator Paul Hutt, is helping bring back happy memories for dog- loving resident Elizabeth Bessant.
Stephen Teasdale, development director for Camelot Care, said: “We showed the people who live with us a variety of different images to find out which ones they would enjoy seeing on the walls of their home.
“These three were firm favourites, and they are so happy to share their memories of these lovely scenes with us.”
Camelot Care has been following with interest the findings of research undertaken by Guys and St. Thomas’ Charity into the role of the arts in reminiscence, and how it can empower people with dementia.
“The pilot project run in London has provided good evidence that art can spark reminiscences in a way that measurably improves wellbeing in older people with dementia, and our new mural is certainly getting people talking,” said Stephen.
As a result of the London study a range of practitioners are now using the arts in dementia care, with strong anecdotal evidence suggesting that this can be highly effective.
Camelot Care is currently installing a mural featuring the pier at Weston super Mare in its Avalon Nursing Home in Bridgwater, with a seaside-themed environment being created around it for next summer.
For further information on Camelot Care visit: www.camelotcare.co.uk
