Endorsements for  our reminiscence therapy for dementia and alzheimer care

Here we present endorsements for our reminiscence therapy film clips for dementia and alzheimer care called “A picture house of MY past memories. These diverse endorsements for our dementia and alzheimer reminiscence therapy, highlighting its positive impact on participants. These nine endorsements are a sample which represent a wide spread of professionals and users views about the work we do.
We provide these endorsements so that you can be assured that our reminiscence therapy for dementia and alzheimer care and support called “A picture house of MY past memories” has been evaluated as fit for purpose by many professionals and users during our three year development stage.

Our dementia and alzheimer reminiscence film therapy focuses on cognitive engagement and emotional well-being, helping participants reconnect with cherished memories. Through personal stories and supportive environments, we enhance the quality of life for individuals with dementia, fostering connections with their past. Family involvement is crucial, as positive outcomes from our therapy are often shared through heartfelt testimonials that highlight its therapeutic benefits.

A Royal letter of support

In 2023 we received a letter of encouragement and recognition for the work we do from a senior member of the Royal family. This recognition fuels our mission to provide hope, support, and respite to families navigating the challenges of dementia and alzheimer’s.

What experts in the field of dementia and alzheimer care told us.

From: Rob xxxxxx>
Sent: 24 August 2023 12:27
To: info@scottishheritage.co.uk
Subject: Carney Heritage Productions
Dear Dr Carney,
Many thanks for your presentation yesterday. I wanted to send this email to validate how highly I thought of the work you are doing. The videos you can make will have a real impact for people living with dementia. They will allow for reminiscence and conversations to be started with friends and family. The fact that they are person centred and brief means they are an approachable resource and cost effective compared to some alternatives.
Unfortunately I do not hold a budget however I will speak to colleague’s in academic institutions, 3rd sector, and within health and social care to encourage them to contact you. I believe there is huge potential in your work and it deserves more research and investment. I can see it improving the quality of life for many people living with dementia.
Kindest regards
Rob xxxx
Consultant Older Adults Psychiatry
Independent Prescriber

From: Tracey xxx
Sent: 23 August 2023 16:51
To: info@scottishheritage.co.uk
Subject: Proposal meeting 07/08
Hi Don,
Was lovely meeting you today and hearing all about the amazing work you do and would love to share this with our patients and carers. Having worked in Dementia and Alzheimer’s for many years I truly feel this would be an amazing and invaluable resource for friends, family, carers, activity coordinators, respite care, etc.
I look forward to you sending me the clip you showed and being able to share it, being a social historian and film maker then using those skills to help people reminisce and feel happy is just awesome 😊
Kindest Regards
Tracey xxx
Wellbeing Coordinator

From: Julie xxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, September 7, 2023 8:15 AM
To: info@scottishheritage.co.uk
Subject: RE: Feedback

Hi Don

I definitely see the benefits of the project but have no access to funds but work with people who may have access or contacts who would be able to help. Over the next few months I will be working with colleagues on how Dementia services progress in the future and I will certainly mention this project as a potential intervention.

I sincerely hope that the project gets off the ground and I will try my best to promote as best I can.

Thanks

Julie

Julie xxxxxx Strategic Development Officer
Health and Social Care

From: Living Well Cafe xxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, September 7, 2023 6:10 PM
To: Don Carney <info@scottishheritage.co.uk>
Subject: Endorsement
Don’s idea to use short film clips to stimulate recollections is ingenious. These could be used either for one-to-one sessions or within a group. Memories and emotions may be stirred, enabling social interaction. Concentration spans can be very short and for some people short clips may work best. Don has clearly thought about this and flexibility of viewing time and length is incorporated. A couthy, friendly introduction to the short films engages with the viewer and this thread continues throughout the duration of the clip. The carer’s role should not be underestimated. As mood and interest can be so variable, the carer can gauge reaction and may refer to the carer support notes which are helpful in prompting appropriate discussion.
Resources are limited due to local government cutbacks and we feel this is a unique and valuable opportunity to offer temporary respite and support to the care-giver, helping to build their resilience, whilst at the same time stirring memories of bygone times for the cared-for individual.
We look forward with interest and anticipation as the development of this initiative unfolds and we wholeheartedly endorse Don’s endeavours to improve resources available for dementia care.
Best wishes
Linda & Jeanette
Living Well Café

From: Dr Andrew xxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, April 19, 2024 2:21 PM
To: xxxxxxxxxx.ac.uk>
Cc: info@scottishheritage.co.uk
Subject: Dementia Intervention – Digital Reminiscence Film Clips
I attended the Research Facilities Showcase today as part of my new role in Digital Research. Unrelated, at the event, I met Dr Don Carney (cc’d). Don is external to the University and I promised to try and make some connections within our research community -because I found our discussion fascinating and what appears to be a novel approach to dementia support, with the film resources to build on.
As a bit of background here is my understanding from our brief (enjoyable) discussion. Briefly, Don has an academic background and is an established heritage filmmaker (https://www.scottishheritage.co.uk/), and is exploring the power of reminiscence film clips as an intervention for dementia support. The premise is that individuals with dementia are more able to typically recall life experiences, memories and stories from the past. His intervention along with caregivers, taps into this with curated digital reminiscence footage, incorporating relatable material for the participant’s life experiences, to act as stimuli and to facilitate cognitive recall, communication and emotional connection. The personalised, carefully designed bite-sized film offerings, potentially with AI and feedback loops can make a huge difference to dementia care. I found Don very knowledgeable and engaging and to me, at least this seemed like a great idea with real potential and perhaps an opportunity for collaboration, around quantitative data assessment of the intervention, or those working in dementia at the university; even if for a short exploratory chat over coffee or Teams.
Best wishes,
Andrew
Research academic

Dementia organisation
There is strong evidence to suggest that a range of non-pharmacological interventions can have a positive impact on people living with dementia, supporting their mood and wellbeing. We are in favour of more research to demonstrate these benefits, particularly those interventions that are designed and delivered in co-production with people living with dementia and unpaid carers.
Katherine
Chief Executive Officer

From: Donna xxxxx <donnaxxxxx.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2024 7:42 PM
To: info@scottishheritage.co.uk
Subject: DVD
Hi
I wonder if you could help me. My mum had this dvd and she really enjoys watching it , she lives in a care home and has vascular disease so the dvd helps her recall her own memories.
I just wanted to check do you have any other dvds for sale ?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks
Donna
Carer

Dr A –xxxx GP and Lifestyle medicine advocate

Unfortunately despite a lot of advances, medical therapies do not help a great deal in Dementia. However I recently enjoyed meeting up with Dr Don Carney. I am fascinated by his non drug intervention featuring customised digital film clips and its potential to massively help people with dementia.

He uses digital film clips to document footages of family lived experiences and significant geographic locations linked to one’s family background. The clips can show how people’s ancestors worked the land, went to sea, contributed within their local communities, how they were educated, what religious faiths they might have had, the type of architecture which surrounded them, the dialect they spoke, the domestic technology which they enjoyed, how the family might have lived, their role in wartime, their environmental considerations and their sense of self sufficiency and relationships within their societies.

Watching these videos brings back memories, making people feel happy and connected to their past. It’s like a special way to remember things, especially for those who may have trouble remembering on their own.

His videos are like time machines, helping people, especially those with memory challenges like dementia, travel back to cherished moments.

Quite fascinating!
I really think this would help people with dementia rediscover a treasure trove of memories, providing joy, connection, and a sense of belonging, even when some memories may be hard to find.

Dr A
GP and Lifestyle medicine advocate