Those visiting Ward 4 at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, may be surprised to come across a garden shed complete with potting bench, retro radio and various garden tools, as they make their way down one of the corridors.
The set-up is actually a pop-up scene known as a ‘RemPod’ or Reminiscence Pod, which has the ability to transform clinical environments and allow patients, particularly those with dementia, to reminisce on days gone by.
The pod has been kindly donated by the Friends of Forth Valley Royal Hospital, and has been purchased for the benefit of all patients in specialist dementia units across NHS Forth Valley, with Ward 4 being the first to try it out. Easy to pack away and transfer between areas, there are plans to buy extra scenes to help broaden the range of discussions.
Reminiscence therapy has been proven to reduce levels of stress and distress, increase dietary and fluid intake as well as enhancing emotional wellbeing for people with dementia. The pod also helps to support meaningful activity and conversations between patients, carers and staff.
