A Trip Down Memory Lane: New ‘Fake Towns’ and How We Can Utilize Reminiscence Therapy
Writer: Gavin Darling
Editor: Mishka Mittal
Overview
In several places across the globe, new ‘fake towns’, made to resemble a 1950s-style small town, are being constructed in shopping malls, with larger models being built as standalone facilities to function as a retirement community for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients. The most notable of these ‘fake towns’, is a new model town that has been constructed in suburban San Diego. On the outside, residents can observe a large beige warehouse; however, as they enter, residents are immersed in a 9,000 sq ft. working replica of a 1950s downtown. This particular facility was built and operated by the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers.
Figure 1. The image above shows the town square and city hall that act as the center node of this replica town built in San Diego.
This imitation town resembles an expensive investment into reminiscence therapy for the elderly. Reminiscence therapy is the practice of recalling fond memories of past events and life experiences, which is commonly used by caretakers and eldercare specialists today.
Included in this town are 14 different storefronts, a city hall, diner, and movie theater, all of which feature pop culture references and news headlines from the 1953 to 1961 to simulate the years of late childhood/early adolescence for these residents. Caretakers within the facility noted that as the years go by, these references and memorabilia will be replaced to follow more period-appropriate prompts. Over 50 residents visit this town everyday, groups of 5-6 are paired with an aide to participate in activities around each storefront. Puzzles, games, and reading is done in the library while storytellers perform in the pub and animals are brought in for animal therapy.
These faux towns could serve as a calm source of reminiscence and nostalgic therapy for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients to think back on memories and experiences, through visual and physical aids found throughout these towns (Hurley, 2018).
Reminiscence Therapy
Additional forms of reminiscence therapy are appearing in retirement homes and in the practices of caretakers all over the world. Reminiscence therapy (RT) involves discussing or reliving past experiences in a peaceful manner by stimulating mental activity through visual aids, like looking through old photos. According to a 2018 study conducted by researchers at the Cochrane Library, RT has some positive effects on dementia patients including cognitive abilities, communication, and overall mood. The most significant result of those provided is the mood improvements recorded during and after RT (Woods, et al., 2018).
While RT may not be able to serve as a viable treatment option for dementia patients, it can, however, function as an exceptional mental exercise for dementia patients to use for mood improvements, and live happier lives. While this has yet to be thoroughly tested, the mood improvements noted after RT could point us in a direction that prioritizes the mental wellbeing of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients all over the world.
How You Can Use Reminiscence Therapy
An estimated 6.7 million Americans are currently living with dementia, and this number is expected to double by 2060 (“Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures”, 2023). It is important that we learn how we can utilize this peaceful mood improvement therapy so that we can provide mental stability and care to loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s . While RT is not a preventative method for symptoms of dementia, it can help patients manage symptoms of dementia to maintain a higher quality of life. If you would like to try out reminiscence therapy with a loved one with Alzheimer;s or dementia, here are a few easy steps that you can take to try it out:
Collect old photographs, souvenirs, and general memorabilia from your loved one’s life. Try to include artifacts from their twenties to thirties, as this time of life has been reported to be the most emotionally and mentally significant for dementia patients.
Create a peaceful environment. Ensure that your loved one is in a familiar place like a local park, living room, or neighborhood.
Introduce artifacts to stimulate memory and engage in conversation with a loved one. You can try asking them a question about an enjoyable time in their life, such as a vacation, first house, old friends, etc.
While engaging in conversation, be sure to ask questions that aim to have the loved one think back on their memories to recount them or tell a story. Examples include:
“Remember that vacation you took to Paris a while ago? Could you tell me about it? I’ve always wanted to go.
“What was your favorite restaurant to go to in your hometown? Who were your friends there?
NOTE: it may be helpful not to mention how long ago a particular event was, so as to avoid confusion or distress.
The practice of reminiscence therapy is certainly a great method to grow deeper connections with loved ones and learn more about their life. RT has shown to improve overall mood as well, which can be a major contributing factor to helping your loved ones and family members with dementia live a happier life.
Works Cited
Hurley, Amanda Kolson. “What a Fake Town for Dementia Tells Us About Urban Design.” Bloomberg.com, 17 September 2018, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-17/what-a-fake-town-for-dementia-tells-us-about-urban-design. Accessed 25 October 2024.
Lewis, Danny. “Fake Towns Could Help People With Alzheimer's Live Happier Lives.” Smithsonian Magazine, 21 September 2016, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fake-towns-could-help-people-alzheimers-live-happier-lives-180960518/ . Accessed 25 October 2024.
“2023 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures.” PubMed, 2023, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36918389/ . Accessed 25 October 2024.
Woods, Bob, and et al. “Reminiscence therapy for dementia - PMC.” PubMed Central, 2018, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6494367/ . Accessed 25 October 2024.
Research and Inspiration
What To Know About Alzheimer’s Disease? - Medical News Today, Seunggu Han, M.D.
Recent Advances In Alzheimer’s Disease: Mechanisms, Clinical Trials, and New Drugs - Nature.com
Alzheimer’s Research and Progress - Alzheimer's Association
New ‘Memory Town’ Made For Dementia Patients - Bloomberg.com
Fake Towns Could Help Alzheimer’s Patients Live Happier Lives - Smithsonian Magazine
Reminiscence Therapy for Dementia - Cochrane Library, Bob Woods, et al.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6494367/#:~:text=RT%20involves%20discussing%20events%20and,as%20videos%2C%20pictures%20and%20objects.
2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures - Natl. Library of Public Medicine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36918389/#:~:text=An%20estimated%206.7%20million%20Americans,prevent%2C%20slow%20or%20cure%20AD.
Reminiscence Therapy for Dementia - The Care Side
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