Tales of The Sea: Connecting people with dementia to the UK heritage through maritime archaeology: Innovative practice

Abstract

This paper reports on a pilot study evaluating the impact of a series of interactive and educational maritime archaeological sessions for people with dementia. A typical archaeological approach was adopted including excavations, recovery and reconstruction of artefacts. Findings from this study demonstrate the importance of providing information, delivering alternative activities, enabling educational opportunities and offering support to and for people living with dementia. Our findings further illustrate that people with dementia can be included in maritime archaeology and that including people with dementia in heritage-based initiatives is possible.

An archaeology of dementia

“…Archaeology clearly provides diverse opportunities for creative engagement, entertainment, education and even exercise for those living with dementia and for their carers. To date, this has included the benefits of dementia-friendly excavations (Cutler et al 2019), more accessible heritage site attractions (Klug et al 2017) in addition to enhanced museum experiences through initiatives like dementia toolkits (e.g. Tunbridge Wells Museum 2015) and apps (My House of Memories n.d.).…”

“…To date, this has included the benefits of dementia-friendly excavations, more accessible heritage site attractions and enhanced museum experiences through initiatives such as dementia toolkits and apps (e.g. Tunbridge Wells Museum 2015; Klug et al 2017;Cutler et al 2019;National Museums Liverpool 2020). Similarly, increasing archaeological interest in care practices and therapeutic landscapes has focused attention on well-being in both the past and present (e.g.…”

“…Tunbridge Wells Museum 2015; Klug et al . 2017; Cutler et al 2019; National Museums Liverpool 2020). Similarly, increasing archaeological interest in care practices and therapeutic landscapes has focused attention on well-being in both the past and present (e.g.…”

Editorial: Innovative Practice

“…The expanded Innovative Practice Section in this issue presents an opportunity to explore this message further by drawing together seven articles examining the benefits of different activities, ranging from participating in sports such as swimming (Hobden, Swallow, Beer, & Dening, 2019) and Boccia (Ovenden, Dening, & Beer, 2019), to playing board games (Miltiades & Thatcher, 2019a, 2019b) and learning about marine archaeology (Cutler, Palma, & Innes, 2019) or practising graffiti art (Hicks, Carroll, Shanker, & El-Zeind, 2017). As Miltiades and Thatcher (2019b) point out, the ability to help others and share knowledge is an opportunity often denied to people with dementia.…”