Below are several extracts from the “How To Use This Reminiscence Guide” section which appears in each Guide:

“This Reminiscence Guide is not a “work book” that has to be followed word by word. It suggests discussion topics and questions which might help you to stimulate conversation with a patient or patients after viewing the archive film clips, or parts of them, on the enclosed DVD.”

“The memories that the archive film clips can evoke will be varied and personal, leading on to other memories and associations that can be explored further. For carers, who may be from a different generation and/or cultural background, the film clips and this Guide can provide some insight into the memories of the people in their care, thereby fostering a better understanding of their lives.”

“You may notice that sometimes the quality of the sound or images on the film clips are not as perfect as we are used to seeing on television today.Please bear in mind that the films from which the clips were taken were produced more than fifty years ago.”

“To get the maximum benefit from each film clip we suggest that the clips should be viewed one-by-one. Conversations can then be based around the topic of the particular film clip which has just been seen.”

“Please remember that each clip can be viewed a number of times, after which you can discuss different objects, topics or scenes shown on that clip. The “Pause” button on the DVD player or other viewing device can also be used when discussing the content of one particular image e.g. objects on a shelf in a kitchen or perhaps analysing a street scene.”

“In this Guide there is an Index of some of the activities, objects, and well-known actors from the 1950s and 60s appearing in some of the film clips. You can use this Index to select scenes from different film clips on the DVD to illustrate a discussion on a particular topic, e.g. kitchens,housework, furniture, women’s clothing, laundry, meals, smoking, etc.”