Dementia home builds 1950s street to help residents feel at home
Residents can even relive fond memories of their youth by reading newspapers and magazines from the period.
Carers have built a 50s street so dementia patients feel at home.
The Memory Lane features an old fashioned post office, greengrocers, phone box, pub, ration books and old tobacco tins.
Residents can even relive fond memories of their youth by reading newspapers and magazines from the period, detailing the Queen’s Coronation.
They are also able to peruse 1950s products in the Greengrocers, use the original weighing scales and choose fresh handmade cakes from the window.
Martin McCarthy who runs Grove Care homes in Bristol said: “It is great fun for everyone to go and have a look round, regardless of whether they have dementia or not.
“We have had brilliant feedback since opening Memory Lane. One resident with dementia, who has been with us for a year, never went outside.
“But when she heard about the street she came down and had a look, which was a really great moment.”
“We have so many plans for the village, we hope we can have carol singing there at Christmas and dancing around the May pole next year.
“Residents can walk in and out of the shops and they can also sit in the pub and have a tea or coffee or even a pint of beer.
“We are really proud of it.”
The private homes cater for 80 patients, many with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Paula Shears from the Alzheimer’s Society said: “These are the sorts of shops people grew up with. The street will generate lots of conversation without the threat of someone saying, ‘Can you remember this?’.”
