Painted murals inspire residents with dementia to share memories at care home

With an increasing focus on the development of care home environments and the provision of activities for those living with dementia, more care homes have been turning to artistic wall décor to improve the wellbeing of residents.

Camelot Care is the latest care provider to install murals of well-known Somerset landmarks in its nursing homes, which have since become major-talking points with residents.

In particular, a large mural of Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor, which has been installed at Camelot House, has been prompting residents to share their memories about the reservoir which has been a favourite destination for 'days out' since it was created in 1979.

Clare Woodhead, operations manager for Camelot Care, believes the murals provide a calming atmosphere within a home and often inspire creativity amongst residents.

She said: "We showed the people who live with us a variety of different images to find out which ones they would enjoy seeing on the walls of their home.

"Wimbleball Lake was a firm favourite and they are so happy to share their memories of it with us."

Ms Woodhead has been following the findings of research undertaken by Guys and St. Thomas’ Charity into the role of the arts in reminiscence and how it can empower people with dementia.

She added: "The pilot project run in London has provided good evidence that art can spark reminiscences in a way that measurably improves wellbeing in older people with dementia, and our new mural is certainly getting people talking."

Since the London study, a range of care providers are now using the arts in dementia care, with strong evidence suggesting that this can be highly effective.

According to the study, symptoms often experienced by people living with dementia are often reduced or in some cases eliminated by the careful introduction of murals within the living environment.

Some benefits include a reduction in stress and aggression, an increased use of communal areas as well as increased sociability.

Camelot Care is currently installing a mural featuring the pier at Weston super Mare in its Avalon Nursing Home in Bridgwater and an image of Plymouth Hoe at Freshfields in Plymouth.

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