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REMPODS
Posted: 15th October 2013
Appearing on Dragons's Den, this idea was to create reminiscence spaces within care homes, hospitals etc.
Founded by Richard Ernest in 2009, RemPods is a simple and resourceful idea which uses printed exhibition stands for a backdrop. Some of the 'rooms' come with other pieces of furniture and resources to make the experience more authentic.
There is quite a varied range of pods from different eras and activities - with kitchens, shops, cinema and pub.
There has been a great deal of marketing and press about them too, with videos about them:
http://vimeo.com/72450441
At £1699 + VAT & Delivery they are not cheap though and I can't help but feel that the majority of homes would not be able to afford this.
I've seen a picture in the internal magazine of one of the homes I visit and they look nice, but a little 'cartoon-like' with their shadows. They feel almost a little 'too perfect' and perhaps leaning towards contemporary tastes rather than being about reminiscence - a shiny flat picture with no textures or depth that looks 'pretty'. With little tactile input, it could just feel like a picture on the wall - not a room? Perhaps I would say that! But I do think tactile interactions are really important too.
This for me, highlights the potential 'Uncanny Valley' in regards to Dementia - could things that look real, but not be - distress people more? Have some people the capacity to know that something isn't right with how things are? - like a dream and not being able to know what is real and what is pretend? With pictures of 'real' boxes on shelves but not being able to pick them up -
Or, does this matter?
Overall, this is a clever idea using existing marketing products to create a space from a different time - if perhaps a bit pricey for a one off cost for most home's budget.
Alternatively, to put this cost in perspective - one of these pods would pay for a whole year's worth of weekly sessions with residents with me! (or just over two years realistically visiting fortnightly and minus festive seasons etc.).
Ultimately, it is what interactions is made with them with residents, staff and family members. If this can help people connect, and not just be a 'tick box' for dementia design by just having one in the corner of a room like an ornament then this is as a very useful tool.
DIY - Bespoke Design??
Another idea could be perhaps for the homes to make their own, more bespoke 'pod' using old photographs or artwork of local landmarks, parks, public buildings, local cinema, art gallery, tea dance hall etc. Residents could perhaps connect with these more from their own connections with their local area.
http://www.discountdisplays.co.uk/html/pop_up_with_graphic.html - £599 for 3 x 4m exhibition stand.
Still quite expensive, but a smaller perhaps more usable size to accommodate in residential settings of 3m x 2m is £449.
£570.00
Articles about the RemPods:
