Using reminiscence therapy

We are offering reminiscence therapy to dementia patients, supporting people who may become stressed and anxious in our environments, through using a RITA tablet. We receive safety reports, staff and patient feedback where our environments including vehicles, processes, and staff interactions have an impact on experiences and outcomes of people living with dementia when in our care. A lack of communication, reassurance and support, particularly in an emergency, can be distressing, confusing and cause anxiety.

Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities (RITA) is a digital solution using evidence-based therapies to develop more meaningful interactions with dementia patients. Activities include music, relaxation, games, films and more. We know that these opportunities support patients and carers on a long journey, on a long delay outside hospital or those who just require distraction due to boredom, distress, confusion or pain. 

Case studies demonstrating the impact of RITA:

• During a wait on the ambulance, the patient thoroughly enjoyed playing games and listening to music which brought back good memories, and allowed them to sing along, remembering most of the words.
• The patient loved listening to music and humming along. They were becoming restless whilst waiting but once we started using the tablet their mood settled.
• We supported someone with mixed dementia who had fractured her hip. She played an interactive 360° coral reef game which distracted her wonderfully all the way to hospital.
• A gentleman with Alzheimer’s disease was very agitated on the way to hospital but became much less stressed by listening to Welsh music, which we played all the way to the hospital and even on the way to the CT scan. He was much calmer and not as agitated as when we had arrived. His shaking had stopped and made the CT scan so much easier. 

We are also developing a dementia activity toolkit that our staff can use to access a range of activities and resources to support people living with dementia, including music, games and activities which will help to calm and occupy people if they are waiting for long periods on our ambulances.