Inclusion

Virtual memory box makes its first appearance

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the ‘HSV memory box’, to help people suffering with dementia, has been adapted slightly, with a new, virtual version of the project, which was trialled for the first time in Eppendorf recently.

Dementia is one of the biggest challenges in our society today. Up to 1.7 million people suffer from dementia in Germany, with the trend pointing to more cases in the coming years. Since the start of 2020, HSV has also been involved in this important area for society, with volunteers regularly travelling around various care homes in Hamburg with the ‘HSV memory box’. The idea behind the box is for the care home residents who are suffering from dementia to talk about their memories of old HSV games to invoke positive memories, but like many other projects, it had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The care home residents suffering from dementia have a lot to deal with during the current situation. They have to cope without contact with other care home residents and their family, as well as the activities and structures that have become part of their daily lives. To support the people suffering from dementia in this difficult time, the idea arose to create a virtual memory box so that the project could carry on, in digital form. A 32-minute film was developed, made up of video footage and photos from the past few decades as well as original soundbites from HSV legends. The film can be paused at any time, so that the residents can talk about what they have seen on screen with their carers and fellow residents, hopefully invoking positive memories for all.

The concept was tested in the past few weeks in the ‘Mole44’ care home in the Hamburg suburb of Eppendorf and was enjoyed by all who took part. “After just a few minutes our residents were fascinated by what they were watching,” Barbara Ester explained, responsible for day care at Mole44. “We were suddenly in the stadium, cheering the team on and celebrating when they scored. Football connects us and you could see that straight away.” The other carers said that the residents felt like they were sent back in time and were celebrating the various video clips shown during the film loudly. One of the residents explained how he had been in attendance at one of the games shown in the film and joyfully retold his experiences from that day.

In the next step of the project, the virtual memory box will be available for various other care homes in Hamburg, and the HSV inclusion team led by Fanny Boyn are hoping that it continues to provide some positive memories for people suffering with dementia around Hamburg in this difficult time, until the real-life memory box can continue once the pandemic has passed.