A NEW scheme to help stimulate the memories of dementia patients is being rolled out in Oxfordshire’s hospitals.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust said “memory boxes” and “reminiscence machines” could help patients relax and remind them of earlier periods in their life.

The boxes are set to become part of treatment for people with the condition, which is common in those aged over 65 and can cause memory loss, as well as affecting thinking speed and judgement.

The trust is also set to undertake a series of groundbreaking studies in partnership with Join Dementia Research, a national initiative to recruit volunteers to help in research projects.

The memory box project has been introduced in Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital’s trauma ward by chaplain Jan Radford and Lynda Huard, ward sister and dementia leader for acute general medicine.

The boxes are filled with items such as photographs, small objects and perfumes or smells to evoke memories, with families and friends encouraged to add items.

Ms Huard said: “The boxes are a fantastic way to give patients an anchor of familiar objects while they are in an environment unfamiliar to them.

“They also give families the opportunity to be involved in their care – and it is great to see the smiles on the faces of patients as they react to items that they recognise.”

Patients are also shown how to use “reminiscence machines”, which have a flat touch-screen monitor, with a wireless keyboard and mouse, that can display music, photos and games to evoke memories.

Jilly Heath, dementia leader at the trust, said: “The reminiscence machines are a great distraction for patients who suffer with dementia to focus their attention on something other than being in the hospital. We have already found this to be the case in the trauma ward – it makes a real difference to their wellbeing.

“Patients are more comfortable in consultations and more at ease.”

She said the scheme had proved so successful it was now to be rolled out to other trust hospitals.

Research projects undertaken by the trust and Join Dementia Research will also involve new clinical trials in two areas.

The first, known as Radar, will seek to discover if the drug losartan, used to treat high blood pressure, could slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and Affect, a 52-week long study, will test a theory that amlodipine, used to treat angina, can improve the health of patients affected by subcortical ischemic vascular dementia.

To participate in the trials, visit patientsactiveinresearch.org.uk