Sporting Memories using the power of reminiscence to reconnect people with fond memories and friends

Description

The Initial Sporting Memories pilot event in Wexford, compered by Tony Dempsey, Age Friendly Ambassador for Wexford saw over 90 people attend, including approximately 30 people who were living with Dementia. This has now grown to a series of events across the county in various settings from GAA clubs, to community hospitals, nursing homes and day centres and 100’s of people have since had the wonderful experience of attending a sporting memories. The fact that these events can be adapted to any setting be they public space, nursing homes or day centre is huge and makes the programme accessible to all.
Such has been the powerful feedback from the programme it has now adopted by the GAA Healthy Clubs initiative, by the FAI Football and Social responsibility Programme and the Past Professional Players FAI
Sporting Memories brings people together to reminisce about their lives through the medium of sport, using images, video, and other tools to spark memories and encourage social engagement bringing joy and reconnection not only to the person living with Dementia but also to their family members and Carers.
Sport plays a big part in the lives of many people. Whether a person played a sport in their youth or later life, was a local club member, or watched and listened to matches, sport creates a sense of identity and a set of memories that can last a lifetime. By using sporting cues, it is possible to stimulate memory, improve communication and social skills among members as well as creating a sense of belonging within a local community.
Reminiscence is very powerful for people living with dementia. Typically, a person with dementia is more able to recall things from many years ago than recent memories, so reminiscence draws on this strength. Reminiscence can give people with dementia a sense of competence and confidence through using a skill they still have. We all possess memories, we all have our own unique life history. Recalling the past is a means of owning it and hence preserving ourselves.
Many people with dementia find themselves routinely having things done ‘for’ them or ‘to’ them. When a person shares something about their past and another person shows interest or enjoyment, it is a wonderful opportunity for that person to feel that they are the one who is giving something to another human being, rather than always being the one who is receiving or listening.
with over 64,000 people living with Dementia in Ireland today it is vital that we ensure that there are sufficient opportunities for them to be part of community activities. 63% of people living with dementia live at home in the community so Dementia is not simply a health issue but a social issue that requires a community response and sporting memories is one such community response.

Aim of Initiative

This programme aims to tackle Dementia, depression, and loneliness through safe, friendly sessions, led by people with a passion for sport and a desire to help people with Dementia and their Family Carer to stay engaged in their communities. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland works to ensure that people living with Dementia, their family members and Carers can live their lives to the best of their ability and this programme gives them an opportunity to do that – empowering them to reconnect with old friends, rebuild relationships with their community and relive fond memories. The power of reminiscence cannot be underestimated for bringing back joy into the lives of people living with Dementia. We want people to live well with Dementia and strive to help them do that by empowering Dementia Inclusive Communities and sporting memories is a key part of that programme.

Who is it aimed at

This initiative is for everyone of all ages, is a wonderful event for older persons but is particularly powerful for people living with Dementia and their family members and Carers. It is a great opportunity for intergenerational engagement.

3 Steps critical to success

1. The collaboration among various agencies is vital for the success of the programme and to ensure as many people as possible get the opportunity to participate. Some people may no longer have any connection with a sporting club so it is really important to advertise the event via all agencies and organisations e.g older persons council, Age friendly programme, Active retirement Groups and PHN’s to name but a few
2. Good communication was vital to ensure getting the word out about the programme. It is vital to ensure all media both print and radio in the area spread the word of the event. Local notices, newsletters, church notice boards, social media pages etc were used. The radio interviews with the Age Friendly Ambassador proved particularly powerful in terms of recruiting people to attend as they are well know and respected in the area.
3. It is important to get the logistics correct. Post covid the venue size is important to ensure people feel safe. Care is also taken when choosing venues to ensure good accessibility, lighting, ample provision of seating, display tables etc to allow ease of movement. Even the time of day is a consideration as some people living with Dementia get agitated in the evening time so that time is best avoided

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Initially it was difficult to get bye in form the relevant agencies however after the success of the event in Wexford the concept has now been proven and the various agencies are keen to be involved. The support from the Age Friendly Coordinators and their teams in each community makes a huge difference to the success. These events are wonderful opportunities for agencies to work on a productive and rewarding project together and now many agencies have recognised that and came onboard
2. Communicating to the target audience. There is a huge reliance on social media to promote event now but as many of our target audience may not engage with social media it was imperative to promote the event through suitable medium. An interview was done with local radio and a podcast of the details of the events was developed which went out right at news time morning midday and evening. The event was also promoted on local papers and each club in the county undertook to contact older people in their own communities about the event and indeed in some provide transport for them.
3. Finding the time that suits most people – some of the target audience no longer drive so it is important to find a time that suits more people so these events are often held on weekend afternoons in non match season so family members have a better chance to transport them. This is also one of the reasons for bringing them to community hospitals, nursing homes and day centres as families were bringing their loved ones out of these facilities to the events – we now bring the events to them.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. People, who had not recently engaged in the GAA world or with the people they previously knew in that world, have now reconnected and in some cases have re-established those friendship to the point where they now regularly meet. Hence this programme has helped combat loneliness and isolation. Reminiscence is vitally important for people living with Dementia. With this event people were given the opportunity to see a significant amount of memorabilia, photos, press cuttings , match programmes, years and medals all of which are very powerful in stimulating memories. They were also given the opportunity to meet old friends and indeed heroes from the years gone by and were encouraged to chat and share stories bringing back some wonderful memories.
   At a recent sporting memories event a gentleman was so excited to finally shake the hand of his hero who he has idolised since the 60’s but never got the opportunity to meet him in person before
2. Family Carers have also found additional supports through these events whereby people may offer to call visit their loved one or indeed in some cases offer the bring them to matches hence giving the family carer some respite and time for themselves. A example of this is where we saw one family where a woman was the carer for her Dad but was also the mum of 3 young children. She brought her Dad to the event and when she saw him sitting with people from her community that she knew well she asked them if they would mind if she took that chance to bring her kids to the park while he was happily engrossed in match talk. On return the gentlemen who had been sitting with her Dad offered to call by and bring her Dad to the matches with them going forward. This has given this family carer some much needed respite and time to herself that she can do other things with her kids safe in the knowledge that her Dad is happily enjoying matches with his reconnected friends.
3. At these events there is always information with regards to services and supports that are available to People living with Dementia. Some people are not lucky enough to be signposted to these supports and services when they receive their diagnosis, so it is important that we add this component to these events . A number of people have been linked to services in this way. One gentleman 2 years post diagnosis was not aware of the extensive services available but has now happily been linked into many of them because he attended a sporting memories event.