Vintage advertising could make dementia patients happy

A leading confectionary giant has created reminiscence packs to help bring back the happy memories of dementia sufferers, made possible through a raft of advertising material the firm has produced over the years.

With the various forms of dementia affecting well over 800,000 people in the UK alone, it is important that research is carried out to help alleviate its symptoms and to help those who require specialist dementia care enjoy a far better quality of life

The reminiscence packs have been created by Nestle with the help of the Alzheimer’s Society and are currently being tested by two groups who are carrying out activities with dementia sufferers and carers. Should the project prove to be a success, it is likely that these packs will then be made available on a wider scale.

Sweets to bring back memories

With everything from Rowntree’s Fruit Gums and Smarties to Carnation Milk and Nescafé being included, it is hoped that the material, taken from the Nestlé & Ireland Archive, could help to trigger pleasant and happy childhood memories for dementia patients.

The pack contains plenty of material for products which are no longer in production, meaning that sufferers could use their memory to educate family and friends who do not recognise them.

When discussing the initiative, Alzheimer’s Society Spokeswoman Alison Cook said that it helps carers and loved ones to engage positively with people living with dementia. She added: “Even something as simple as an old sweet wrapper can bring back vivid memories from a happy time.”

James Maxton, a spokesman for Nestle, said: ‘We are keen to share the contents of the archive with as wide an audience as possible and we are delighted to use some of our favourite artefacts to produce this.’

If you are keen to learn more about the Reminiscence Pack from Nestle, click here.

Image Credit: Boston Public Library (Flickr.com)