Memories recounted by caring staff
A care service in Stafford is trialling a new project where they help people gather their most precious memories together in a bid to help staff learn more about those they are caring for.
The memory folder project being trialled in the Radfield Care Home Stafford branch allows carers and clients to find a common ground, where a person’s memories, their medical history and interesting work experiences are shared.
Each client gets two boxes, one which stays in their home and another in the Radfield office in Austin Friars, Stafford, so carers can learn more about a person before visiting them.
Teresa James, registered branch manager, said: “Having visited and cared for many of our clients myself, I know from experience that many of our elderly clients like to talk and share their past experiences.
"By capturing this information in a folder with photos, pictures and comments, we are giving our clients a chance to reconnect with their pasts, as well as helping our carers to understand more about the people they support and care for on a daily basis.
“The level of detail we are presenting in both written and picture form will mean that a carer can pick up a person’s folder and feel like they already know who they are before having ever met them.
"This helps to create a friendlier, more meaningful connection between us as a care company and the people we are caring for.”
The folders are being created by the team of specialist carers, with the help of both clients and their families
Mark Adams, a client who recently has been presented with his memory folder, said: “The amount of information that they have pulled together for the folder is excellent.
"I think that everyone should have one.
"On a personal level, for someone to know beforehand what I have experienced in my life makes it so much easier to communicate with them.”
