Brian Norris
Founder, Executive Director Living Memories C.I.C.UK
Title: Archival materials are increasingly being incorporated into products and interventions as part of practice with older people
Biography
Biography: Brian Norris
Abstract
Archival materials are increasingly being incorporated into products and interventions as part of practice with older people. One area of this work involves the use of archival films, videos, photographs, and television and radio broadcasts in tools for reminiscence activities with older people, in particular individuals living with dementia.Interest in the well-being benefits of this work is based on the demonstrated ability of these multi-sensory materials to stimulate memories of the past in the person with dementia, and to afford opportunities for increasing communication and social interaction with caregivers and others.One current application of archival film for reminiscence activities is the project being developed by Liv, drawing on a major proprietary archive covering social and industrial life in Britain from the 1940s onwards. It was a Finalist in the national UK Nursing Times Awards 2017. This presentation, including screening of examples of archive film, will describe the development of digital tools being produced from this material including a series of DVDs and an accompanying reminiscence guide of topics and questions for use by family members and practitioners. It will also discuss the interactive online platform being developed for the delivery of Living Memories reminiscence resources on mobile devices. Issues such as the tailoring of content to particular audiences, for example, men who may struggle to engage with more generically-targeted social activities for persons with dementia, will also be addressed. Experiences to date of employing these tools in settings such memory cafés, and with a variety of professional and other user groups will be reported. A related Twitter feed (@memorytriggers) to help younger people communicate with those who grew up in the 1940s-60s will also be described.