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Central & Cecil Launch Evaluation of Innovative Drama Project for People Living with Dementia

Central & Cecil launched Over the Moon, the evaluation of an innovative drama project for older people living with dementia, on 05 May. The report focuses on a two week project provided by theatre company, Ladder to the Moon, at Central & Cecil’s Rathmore House care home in Camden.
Maria Parsons, formerly of the London Centre for Dementia Care was commissioned by Central & Cecil to write the evaluation report, which concluded that a sample of eight residents living with dementia experienced improvements in well being as a result of the project.

In March 2009 Ladder to the Moon transformed Rathmore House, Central & Cecil’s 20 bed care home for people living with dementia, into a ‘Grand Hotel’. Actors were present at the home five days a week, with the residency focusing on the development of a romance between a wealthy guest and a chamber maid. The residency culminated in a wedding attended by residents, staff and relatives, and also included an engagement party and tea dance.

The residency was featured on Channel 4 News last year as an example of best practice in the provision of artistic activities for people living with dementia.

Rathmore House manager Chris Barry said: “Some of the residents took on roles in the production and all of them joined in as guests at the engagement and wedding parties. They really bonded with the actors, becoming friends with them and reacting as they would in real life. One resident, angered at the sight of the ex-girlfriend of the leading man, threw a glass of water at the actor! They became involved in what they were seeing to that extent. The amazing thing about the production was that it engaged both residents and staff and gave everybody the chance to shine.”

The interactive nature of the play encouraged residents to recount memories and their life stories.  A number recounted tales of their marriages. One man, who had remained isolated from the production in his bedroom, finally joined the engagement party. Pushed in his wheelchair into the lounge, the man came face to face with ‘the happy couple’ and gave them his blessing. Crying with joy, he wished them well in their lives together.  A few months later he died. However in the time after the performances, he often referred to the ‘marriage’.

Vikki Moorhouse, Central & Cecil’s Arts & Education Coordinator, helped to support the project, which was the result of a longstanding partnership between Central & Cecil and Ladder to the Moon. She said: “Ladder to the Moon provided a wonderful project that involved families, staff and residents and stimulated a huge amount of joy, new communication and connectedness. Commissioning Maria Parsons to evaluate the project will enable Central & Cecil to continually develop best practice.”
Chris Gage, Creative Director at Ladder to the Moon said, "It has been a pleasure to continue our relationship with Central and Cecil with a programme that has been show to have significant benefits across the care home home community, for both residents and staff"

The two organisations now plan to expand on their partnership, with a year-long “studio” project, funded by Camden Council, and held at Central & Cecil’s Camden care home, Compton Lodge.

Click here to see the report in full  or visit Central & Cecil’s website www.ccht.org.uk