Care Home Residents Raise A Glass To New Dementia Therapy
Residents at a care home in Worcestershire, are raising a glass to a new dementia therapy area that has recently been installed: a ‘pop-up pub’.
The Hawthorns Care Home in Evesham, Worcestershire has installed the ‘pub’, which recreates a traditional bar setting in which residents can immerse themselves, with the aim of providing dementia residents with a more familiar environment to talk about their memories.
The pub was created by innovative dementia therapy business, RemPods. Short for reminiscence pods, the company provides rooms designed to remind individuals with dementia of past decades, complete with authentic furniture, interiors and memorabilia.
The pub, which has been named The King Canute after the former owner of a manor house on the same street as the care home, includes a pull-up backdrop covered in authentic adverts, a solid wooden bar complete with working pumps, vintage tables and chairs and old-fashioned table top pub games.
The business received a £100,000 joint investment from Dragon’s Den dragons Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden after its founder, Richard Ernest, appeared on the programme in 2012.
Mary Tasker, manager of the Hawthorns Care Home, said: “The pop-up pub has been a real hit with our residents since it was installed.
“It allows residents to socialise and interact with others within a recognisable and safe environment. This interaction, as well as the bar games, encourages them to communicate and stimulates the mind. The pub has also had a positive impact on their physical wellbeing by encouraging fluid intake.
“People feel they are actually in the pub socialising with friends and are actively participating in the pub games, regardless of their physical ability. It has shown what a powerful effect reminiscence can have. We have seen a hugely positive impact so far, and would certainly consider installing further pods in the future, such as a shop.”
Matthew Shove, sales manager at Rempods, said: “Our pop-up pods offer care homes a cost-effective and flexible way to transform a space into a calming, therapeutic environment.
“Familiarity is very important to individuals with dementia, and our pods seek to create a full sensory experience around them, for example using authentic music, posters and other memorabilia to help take them back to a well-known and comfortable environment.
“The Hawthorns team were keen to install a pod that created a working environment, to help create a sociable atmosphere and encourage meaningful interaction between residents. I am delighted that the pub has had such a positive impact.”
RemPods also provides pods in the style of a vintage cinema, shop, dance hall and living room, with the pub one of its most popular settings.
Founded in 2009, the business has provided pods to more than 150 NHS Trusts, case homes, day centres and care charities across the UK.
The Hawthorns Care Home is run by Shaw healthcare, and provides a specialist care service for up to 47 residents with dementia and acquired brain injuries.
Shaw healthcare provides care for individuals in nursing and residential homes, hospitals, supported living environments and domiciliary care schemes. Its services range from comprehensive care packages through to low level support in the community for older people and adults with physical, sensory or mental health support needs.
