Review of RTRT project: Northern Ireland (UK)

Memorable moments that took place in our RTRT group

• “I found each session beneficial and very enjoyable, especially the dancehall days and the weddings session”

  One particularly quiet lady spoke at the wedding session telling us about her dress and her “wonky” shoes & said she would do it again if she could

• One gent who attended the day centre made such an improvement that all staff in the centre noticed it and mentioned it to us. He spoke of the sessions and was more involved

• All couples exchanged numbers and planned to meet again as their friendships had been cemented so well

The main things we have learned

Successes to build on:

• We need to work more closely with the local Alzheimer’s societies to ensure that a follow up service is there for couples after the programme

• Carers can gain so much from consciousness-raising exercises in dementia awareness – e.g. an exercise in listening and not listening, mystery moments, delayed speech.

• Couples enjoy being able to do things together again and to have fun together with the focus on the couple and not on the dementia

Pitfalls to avoid:

• “Sometimes people didn’t get to say what they really meant because there was too much interruption”

  We need to anticipate any difficulties in separating the carers from their family members by ensuring sufficient volunteers to work with them on enjoyable and achievable activities to put the people with dementia at ease, as they can otherwise panic when their carer is leaving

• When asking people to bring personal items in, we need to ensure there is time to discuss them

• Recruitment can be difficult – initially getting people in the door

The main things that the carers in our groups learned about reminiscence

• “Recognising that you can help people with dementia if you provide support and care in the right way”

  The need for additional time to be given for people with dementia to formulate responses

• Reminiscence can be so simple and their loved one can usually respond to it

• It is not just talking – it can be listening, watching, doing, etc.

• Simple, everyday items can trigger so many memories

• There is no need to correct factual information in memories (dates, names etc)

What the people with dementia in our groups gained from the project:

• “I really appreciate this. I can’t remember the last time I was at something like this”
  

  They enjoyed the time spent as a group having fun and making new friends

• They enjoyed being able to dance again, especially with their partners

• There was plenty of laughter

• “Every week was something different and it was all very good”
  

  They appreciated being listened to and valued 

• They appreciated being given space to participate in conversations and receiving encouragement

   

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