Reminiscence Express rail trip brings back memories

Part of a care home has been converted into a vintage-style railway carriage to try to help some of its residents who are living with dementia.

Nearly one million people in the UK are thought to be living with the condition, with that number expected to rise significantly over the next 15 years as the population continues to grow older.

Aston Manor in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, is using digital screens displaying shifting landscapes and a variety of props for its Reminiscence Express.

The home's Justyn Cortes said: "We feel like it will unlock all the senses so it could help with unlocking memories, and that is the important thing to keep the brain functioning."

The project combines sensory immersion with reminiscence therapy, encouraging residents to reflect on past journeys and favourite destinations while enjoying regionally-themed food prepared by the home's chefs.

"We like to specialise with those living with dementia and really try to do our best to bring out their long-term memories," Cortes said.

"It's the thing we try to hold on dearly to, because it could be a scary experience when you cannot remember things the way you used to."

He added: "Our studies have shown that the themes that facilitate unlocking long-term memories are travel and fashion."

The care home opened in October and will eventually have nearly 90 residents, including Glenda Coates and Iris Smith, who have known each other for years and whose daughter and son are married to each other.

Glenda said the project had helped "bring back a lot of memories – looking at this picture of travelling by train is lovely".

Cortes said: "We try to make use of all the props here when we are doing our Reminiscence Express, and a lot of times we will fill it with things and see if we can give clues as to where we think we are going to travel and if anybody's been to that place."

The Express is not just for residents of Aston Manor, and the home is inviting members of the community to visit to share their experiences, too.

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