Supporting a client with dementia by reconnecting them to the familiar

• The client: Mitchel Hunt, an Anthony Collins deputy client living with Korsakoff’s Syndrome, who experiences memory loss and communication difficulties but remains a lifelong Aston Villa fan

• The challenge: Overcoming complex care and travel logistics to support a client who had not made a major trip outside his residential care home in over five years

• The outcome: Our caseworker meticulously organised an outing to an Aston Villa match with a tailored music playlist, giving Mitchel a deeply meaningful and joyful day out

We are supporting our client, Mitchel Hunt, by helping him reconnect with the familiar things that continue to bring him joy despite his diagnosis of Korsakoff’s Syndrome and the memory loss and confusion that come with it.

The challenge

Mitchel has been a lifelong Aston Villa fan, although he had not attended a match in decades. He now sometimes struggles to remember his family and finds communication difficult. However, his love of football and music remains strong, and these interests were identified as meaningful ways to support community access and give him the opportunity for a day out.

The solution

With the help of his caseworker at Anthony Collins, his case manager and a member of his care home staff, Mitchel was supported to attend an Aston Villa match recently. Up until this point he had only left his residential care home for very short trips, making this his first significant outing in at least five years.

Our caseworker planned the day carefully. This included booking suitable tickets, planning the route to make sure everyone knew where they needed to be and when, and working closely with the care home to adjust mealtimes, ensure Mitchel was ready to leave on time and dressed appropriately, arrange staffing so he could be accompanied by the most appropriate member of the team and confirm that all aspects of travel were organised.

Care was taken to ensure he was as comfortable as possible. A playlist of his favourite Neil Diamond songs was prepared for the car journey to help him relax and enjoy the experience.

The impact

Mitchel responded immediately to the music, tapping along and singing every word at the top of his voice. It was a joy to witness.

Once at the match, he was completely in his element. He focused intently on the game and sang along with all the Villa chants. The crowd and atmosphere truly helped him feel at home. He reacted to every foul, understood exactly what was happening during the penalty and celebrated each goal with enthusiasm.

If music can help someone with dementia connect with the past by evoking memories, feelings and emotions they may struggle to express, then football should not be forgotten either.

We felt privileged to witness Mitchel’s afternoon out and to see the lift it gave him. Providing personalised care and support that identifies the things that make a meaningful difference is central to our role as deputies for our clients.