Memory discussion sheets going down well with care home residents
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A THURSO man's plan to help entertain vulnerable and elderly people during the coronavirus pandemic has been "a great success", according to the general manager of a Caithness care home.
Morag Lindsay, who helps run the town's Pentland View, said the discussion sheets supplied by local historian Alan McIvor are bringing back happy memories for the residents and have also been welcomed by their families.
Mr McIvor, chairman of Thurso Heritage Society, came up with the idea as he wanted to do something to help people in care who are facing visiting restrictions because of the coronavirus lockdown.
He produced 15 laminated discussion sheets under the title Let’s Talk About Our Memories. They feature photos and questions on topics ranging from childhood and going to school to growing up and work, as well as recalling World War II from a local perspective and reminiscing about social events.
The discussion sheets are being used at Pentland View and Bayview House in Thurso, while the town's Dunbar Hospital is also keen on the idea.
Mrs Lindsay said: "The discussion sheets have been a great success. They are an excellent prompt to start conversations and bring back happy and vivid memories from the past, especially for those brought up in Thurso."
She pointed out that some of the residents' families who have seen pictures of their relatives with the discussion sheets have said it is "lovely to see their happiness at such a sad time".
Bayview daycare staff working in the community are also grateful to Mr McIvor.
Cathy Mackay, the daycare manager at Bayview House, said: "At this time, keeping people’s mood up when they would normally be in daycare is vital and Alan’s sheets help by way of activity to promote discussion and the positive feelings that are gained from sharing nice memories.
"I am very grateful to him for his efforts."
Mr McIvor is delighted with the response he has received from "a spur-of-the-moment idea".
He said: "I’m glad they have had a positive response, and it shows that you can help in some small way without having to go to a great deal of organisation.
"After the story was published in the John O’Groat Journal, I was asked through social media if I could help with a fourth set which was finished that same day and picked up the following day.
"I really must say, though, that it’s the staff that deserve the credit. They are the ones doing the job, after all, day in day out, and especially now under what I can imagine being a great deal of pressure."
Meanwhile, the coronavirus lockdown has seen increased demand for the Thurso Heritage Society website which was created seven years ago and has more than 4800 members.
"More people seem to be digging out photos and memorabilia and posting them online when they have the time," Mr McIvor said.
"There has been a lot of interest in some gala photos and images of Scrabster harbour. It's getting difficult to keep up with it all, but the aim was to create more of an interest in our local heritage and the society and it has certainly done that."
