Elderflowers - ‘Red Nose Coming!’

In 2003, The Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling produced a video, called ‘Red Nose Coming!’, about the Elderflowers programme. The aim of this educational video is to disseminate the programme’s use of humour as an intervention in dementia care. Filmed by independent documentary film-maker Sitar Rose, ‘Red Nose Coming!’ profiles the work of the Elderflowers practitioners over three sessions at Borders General Hospital. It particularly focuses on the way in which Elderflowers allows participants to express their own humour, and includes interviews with health care staff.

‘Red Nose Coming!’ is available for sale from the Dementia Services Development Centre (tel 01786 467740).

“There is no doubt that the older people involved eagerly anticipated the visits of the red nose people. They certainly proved their sense of humour and capacity for fun and laughter is still intact and could be readily evoked as a present resource. Here we see the careful conscious use of humour and people’s response is proof enough of the value and acceptability of this approach.”
Review of 'Red Nose Coming!', Journal of Dementia Care, March/April 2004