HE SINGS: # Here we are again
# Happy as can be
# All good friends But wonderful company. #
I don't know, those... were any old words.
HE LAUGHS
There we are. Oh, Christ.
You've got...dementia.
LAUGHTER
I am crackers. SHE LAUGHS
One in every three children born in Britain this year will develop dementia...
I've got dementia.
..and could end up in a place like this.
What time are we going home?
On any ordinary day, things can get a bit mixed-up here.
Did you hear what I said?
This week, that's been taken to a whole new level.
A group of little kids are about to burst into their lives.
We know that a lot of people fear dementia.
We think that, quite surprisingly,
children might have the key to changing how we view dementia.
Can these three- and four-year-olds really crack the way we deal with dementia?
I wouldn't have come here if I'd have known.
Why? Cos I don't like it. I don't like the other children.
Can they find the person behind the diagnosis?
I didn't know what... I'm just having a look at where I am.
Psychologists will capture every second,
as this unique social experiment is tried for the very first time.
Are you there, Lucy?
Three days... This is to educate your history.
..two generations, and one experience that could transform lives.
I can't think what it was.
I don't know what's the matter with me, really.
On the North Wales coast,
Colwyn Bay is home to a very special day care centre.
It's the only place on this stretch of coastline where people living with dementia
or memory loss come Monday to Friday.
Be very, very careful.
Hiya. Hello, there. How are you? Hiya, how are you? You all right?
How many slices of toast do you want?
Just the one, darling. Just the one.
Every week, this group of people meet to spend time together and give their families a break.
Is that the one I know?
Maureen. It is Maureen. Oh, darling, thank you very much.
Nice to see you again. And you.
I'm having trouble with my...
I know, and that's why we're here.
..my head. So it's sort of... Not a lot of fun.
But, then again... Would you like a tea or a coffee?
I've completely forgotten.
You should be sitting here! I know, right?
People spend their lives sort of putting a picture together,
you know - I do it and everyone does it - of who you are.
It's like you've got your puzzle in front of you and you're adding your pieces,
your friends, your family and everything that's going on in your life.
Yeah, I take eight tablets in the morning and four at night.
Oh, really?
Until you've sort of got that picture of who you are and what's important to you,
and then dementia comes along and doesn't really discriminate,
and it just starts taking your pieces, and bits are missing and bits aren't there any more.
Dementia affects each person differently,
and each individual has their own way of coping.
First thing Mo does is cuddle her baby.
Jean has a good old cry after lunchtime.
MUSIC PLAYS
Oh, look at this. David Boot.
Why, I'm not any old boot. Oh, I know you're not any old boot.
While David relies on his catchphrases.
Special boot, a special boot, aren't you?
Have a sit down with these gents. Let me take that off you. Eh?
All go. All go!
Did you hear what he called us, gents?
I don't know where I'm up to today.
Got memory loss and everything.
It's all go.
I don't know why you're not taking these tablets.
What tablets? That's what I'm saying, what tablets?
You don't take any at all. Oh!
You should be taking some tablets, David.
You've got...dementia.
These people and their families have agreed to be part of an experiment,
the first of its kind, run by three psychologists from Bangor University,
experts in dementia and child psychology.
Dementia can affect people in very different ways,
but behind those difficulties the person's got a lifetime of
skills and knowledge and experience and expertise.
What we think is that young children
will just go in afresh and, hopefully,
they'll get straight through to the person,
the person behind the diagnosis.
This is the first time these children from a local nursery have ever visited the centre.
Say hi.
How old are you?
One, two, three, four.
I'm nearly three.
Mixing generations has been tried, but this test is unique,
focusing only on dementia.
Are old people big?
Like giraffes.
Because her legs start to get achy.
I can run superfast. Can you?
Can Nana run superfast?
No, she only can walk very slowly.
Are old people fun? They're fun, but their things are boring.
It's time for the experiment to begin.
The cameras are recording and the psychologists have found a quiet corner to eavesdrop.
Dementia expert Catrin is joined by child psychologist Nia.
So, are you ready for your surprise?
Yes. Of course we are.
Ready for what? A surprise.
I think there's some children are coming.
Aww.
Here they come.
Look here.
# Here we are again Happy as can be
# All good friends and wonderful company.#
Lovely. Yes. So are you going to sit down? Lovely children.
Say "hi!" Everyone, say "morning!" Morning. Oh, lovely.
Did you want to go tell them something?
Shall we go and say hi?
Shall we go and tell them what our names are?
Yeah? Come on, then. I want to tell them what my toys' names are.
Go on, then.
Hello. Hello, there.
What's your name?
Elena. What's your name? Elena.
But all my toys' names are different to each other.
The hedgehogs...
The hedgehog one is Hattie.
What's your name? You don't know your name? You lost it?
Oh, that's two of us, then. You're all right.
So, Archie lives with his grandparents,
so he's quite used to interacting with older people.
I'll tell you a little... This is to educate your history.
When England won the World Cup in 1966,
West Ham had more players in that team than any other team in England.
Wow. You've never heard of West Ham?
Lovely, aren't they? Going to show them your hedgehog?
What's your name? Lacey.
Lacey? Oh, what a lovely name.
Oh, lovely. Yeah, they are lovely.
Do you remember the names of some of them, or do you know...?
No, I forget the names straightaway.
Is that difficult, forgetting things? Yeah.
I've got dementia.
And what does that feel like? Horrible.
SONG: Lonesome Town by Ricky Nelson
Communication can be difficult for people living with dementia.
Trying to remember places, names, processes can be challenging.
So we've set up an activity which takes away the pressure,
so they can enjoy and interact together.
We have to stick... You have to stick... Hi.
Say "Hi". Hi. Who likes bubbles?
Look at all this. Do you?
But will everyone want to join in?
Oh, crikey.
Not David. Not amused. Not impressed. We'll see.
Do you want to do it? You blow.
While most appear happy to engage with the new, young arrivals,
one lady isn't comfortable enough to even join the room.
83-year-old Mo was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2012.
Less than a year later, she lost most of her speech,
and now the staff rarely hear a single word from her.
When Mo started, she wouldn't take her coat off.
She was... She looked so unhappy.
She was just walking up and down aimlessly.
We couldn't do anything to pacify her at all.
Very, very upset, so we didn't think anything we could do
could engage her in anyway at all.
But staff have tapped into Mo's lifelong caring instincts
and introduced one of the very latest interventions, doll therapy.
The use of dolls in dementia care is actually quite controversial.
One of the golden rules in dementia care is
never treat the person like a child, don't patronise,
don't talk down to them.
But, in a world that's very puzzling and perplexing,
it gives a sense of security.
Or it can be a way of constructing a meaningful activity...
..reliving the role of being a parent and of nurturing.
SONG: I'll Never Stop Loving You by Doris Day
# I'll never stop loving you
# Whatever else I may do...#
My mother was a very adventurous lady.
She fell in love with my father.
They decided that they wouldn't stay in Wales,
that they would move to Canada.
They were a very, very happy couple
and were in love the entire time they were married and together.
Around 2010, I noticed that my mother was struggling for words.
All of my life, my mother has said,
"I don't really mind what I get or how I die,
"I just don't want Alzheimer's."
And so, over the last three years the disease has accelerated to
sort of a significant point where she's unable to communicate and do very, very little
for herself, which is... It's a cruel disease.
To see that independence, to watch that disappear, it's incredibly hard,
but she's very kind, she's very caring, and you can see that.
# I'll never stop loving you. #
Have your coat done, Tracey?
The psychologists have asked one of the carers if Mo would be happy
to come into the main lounge today.
54. Shall we sing?
CHILDREN CHATTER
It'll be interesting to see how she responds.
She's obviously got lots of affection to give. Yeah.
Are you going to do it together?
So, Mo looks as if she needs encouragement or permission to get involved. Yeah, to interact. Yes.
Blow into the middle.
We've got Peyton. Peyton's looking at the doll.
PEYTON: Whose is that? This is Mo's.
Do you like it?
I'm baby-sitting.
That was nice. Mo was trying to keep Peyton's attention. Yes.
She doesn't really engage like that a lot of the time,
and especially in the way and for as long as she did.
You seen this?
Seeing her sat down there was probably the longest period of time
I've seen her sit in one place and occupy herself with one thing for a long time.
It's lovely. Yeah. She's playing with Peyton now, isn't she?
She's getting involved.
There you go.
Wow.
You never hear that tune they play at West Ham football.
You get bubbles everywhere.
Erm, was it...? How does it go?
THEY SING: # I'm forever blowing bubbles
# Pretty bubbles in the air Bom-bom!
# They fly so high Nearly reach the sky
# Then like my dreams
# They fade and die
# Nothing ever hiding
# Hiding everywhere...# GIRL: Again, again!
# I'm forever blowing bubbles
# Pretty bubbles in the air.#
APPLAUSE
Bet you wish you could sing like that.
HE LAUGHS
But a love of music isn't just something for the adults.
Three-year-old Arianwen loves nothing more than putting on a show.
SHE SINGS HIGH NOTE
Love dance, I love jump up and downing.
Arianwen never knew her grandfather, Glyn.
But her mum had a difficult experience of this cruel condition
when her father was diagnosed.
SHE SPEAKS WELSH
None of us knew what dementia is and how we should respond,
and we were all just kind of scrambling in the dark to kind of...
do our best, and our best was sometimes detrimental.
Just months before Arianwen was born,
this family experienced the effects of dementia in the most devastating of ways.
The window was open and the white curtains were just blowing in the wind,
and there was a black footprint on the windowsill
where my father had climbed up, and...
..tried to escape.
He jumped.
Intentionally. We don't really know...
Yeah, it was fatal, fatal head injury.
SHE SPEAKS WELSH
Come on.
I think this is indisputable, that the impact small children
can have on people who are living with dementia is really profound.
People who are living with dementia are going to get so much out of this.
Back in the centre, it's lunchtime.
Here we go. Put this back on.
Arianwen and Eleanor have joined the two Davids for a chicken dinner.
You'll see in the dark, later. No. I love broccoli.
I love potatoes.
Is that good? Good?
A delicious dinner.
I make friends and be kind with everyone.
Which friend do you make?
Well, any human friend.
Aww, that's lovely, isn't it? So, Elena sees them as her friends.
Leanne or Peyton...
Or old people...
Him or him.
Anyone, just anyone.
Day one, afternoon. The group are back together.
Hello! Good afternoon. Good afternoon.
And it's time to play.
Good afternoon.
It's not good morning any more, it's good...
It's not morning any more, it's afternoon, isn't it?
And even Mo has decided to come back into the main lounge.
Are you nurse Arianwen?
Are you a nurse or a doctor? A doctor. We've got one doctor here.
Are you poorly?
Peyton is manning the hospital reception.
Hello? A little bit poorly?
Archie is on hand for any minor surgery required,
and former teacher Shirley has an appointment with young doctor Arianwen.
Poorly finger...
A poorly face...
A poorly... head.
Everything.
Children that are playing out there,
some of those are very clever for their age.
Time for a check-up.
Time for a check-up?
Time for a check-up.
It's all go!
Bingo!
Are you there, Lucy?
And there's one gentleman that's getting a lot of attention.
Oh, dear. I said, "Are you there Lucy?"
She said, "Yes, I'm here". I didn't expect that.
It's all go.
Where are you now?
David is one of the most vocal in the group.
His dementia tends to make him repeat the same words and phrases.
It's all go. Bingo.
It looks like David has got a real need to be involved in social
interaction. He wants to announce to the world that he's still a social
player, and this is his way of getting into the conversation,
getting into the act, and, of course, the kids love it, they lap it up.
But because of his Alzheimer's,
David sometimes gets confused and agitated.
I don't know what's the matter with me, really.
God... I...
..just don't know.
Crazy, isn't it?
Are you all right, David? I don't know whether I am or not.
Why, what's the matter? Well, I just bloody we don't know why...
Eh? I'm in a mess.
What's wrong? I'm all right in myself, but it's...
You're all right, you're OK. I'm trying to think...
Maureen, be careful.
What are you worried about, eh? I seem to have forgotten.
Christ. It's all right.
I'll have to wait and see what happens. You'll be fine.
I've wanted for a long time to keep my dad at home,
and I still think that it is the best place for him at the moment,
because it is one of the things that he's got left,
and I don't wish it on anybody.
And there's also the fear that...
Of what's in store for him,
because there's no happy ending with Alzheimer's, is there?
I want to make his life as happy as possible,
but there are moments when I know he's there with me, still.
You just hold onto that.
It's been a horrendous seeing the deterioration of my dad.
I think,
I think the worst thing is that my dad doesn't feel like my dad.
I call him dad all the time, it feels like I have another child now.
I hate how Alzheimer's degrades him sometimes.
He's always been a handsome man and
he took pride in wearing his uniform.
He was a chauffeur,
down at ICI in Manchester.
In more than 25 years as a chauffeur,
David always had music playing in the car,
and it's one element of his memories that has never faded.
# You made me feel so sad to be... #
It's quite a show out there, isn't it? Look at all them...
Oh, you're OK, left. He may not be able to remember what happened to
him this morning, but he recalls all the lyrics to songs from the 1950s.
# Do-de-do-de-do
# What I cry for, you know you've got... #
I think, I really think that in the Alzheimer's,
the only thing that it has brought him is a joy of music.
# Do-do-do-do-do
# And all the time you knew it
# You made me happy, sometimes
# You made me sad
# But there were times, dear
# You made me feel so... #
Bom, bom, bom.
And will you go and give these out for me, Peyton?
David's love of music is shared by many at the day-care centre,
including the children.
Go and give some to somebody.
So, who likes purple? Who likes purple?
So it's fitting that the day ends with a song.
# Red and yellow and pink and green
# Orange and purple and blue
# I can sing a rainbow
# Sing a rainbow
# Sing a rainbow, too. #
Well done!
They're all having so much fun and it's just been delightful to watch.
Bye. Bye.
Goodbye. See you.
Goodbye.
Peyton...
And for the first time in a long time, Jean hasn't cried.
Bye-bye. See you again, soon.
Bye-bye.
Some quite young visitors, I think!
Yes, you're right.
What was that like? It was all right, cos I like to see the kids.
See you again soon.
Bye-bye.
I really enjoyed it, all of it.
I sang every damned thing that
they were singing.
As she walked away I said see you again, soon.
And she trotted back to me by then and she turned round and she said,
see you again soon. Aww, lovely. Lovely. I started
to cry. I couldn't help it.
Typically me, of course, typically me.
# Orange and purple and blue
# I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow
# Sing a rainbow, too. #
Haven't we gone quiet?
Very, isn't it? Haven't we?
I believe it.
Iris may already be missing the happy
chatter and buzz from the young visitors.
But not everyone's convinced.
David has decided he'd rather not return tomorrow.
It was all right with the children.
That was OK. I would rather go with what I do on a Thursday.
# Maybe down in lonesome town
# I can learn to forget. #
The next morning, the psychologists assess the experiment so far.
I think we got a lot out of the older people yesterday, didn't we?
But we want today to move things on a bit.
Yeah, and I think it's really important for the children to see that the
older people have got skills, and possibly shared interests,
that we can really tap into.
I think some of these older adults have got even more
that they can give. It's going to be really good
to see somebody like Mo getting even more engaged as the days go on.
It was great to see Mo so involved yesterday,
we weren't even sure whether she would stay in the room at all.
And an opportunity for her
to maybe become more involved in the room every day,
to see where she feels comfortable
and what will come out of it, really.
While not all have chosen to come back,
most of the residents are all heading in
just as they do every day.
# Take one fresh and tender kiss... #
Thank you.
# Memories are made of this... #
Except this won't be another ordinary day.
Not with this lot on their way.
ALL: Follow the leader!
Follow the leader!
It's been absolutely fantastic,
I think it's been great to see the kids' reactions
as well as obviously the older people
and watching them interacting,
playing and really getting on.
But before the children roll up,
there's one big kid who's come to visit.
Hello, Mother. Hello.
It's Kevin, Iris's son.
These are for you. Oh, thank you.
Are they all right? I've done fine.
Do you like them? Yes.
They're lovely. OK.
She's a wonderful lady.
A wonderful lady, there we are.
What do you think of that? I didn't know I was a lady.
Really? I'd say neither did I.
Neither did I.
But there we are. Yes.
She's always had a great sense of humour, always,
everyone I introduce her to, they all comment on that.
And even though she's not the mum that we used to know,
she has never, ever lost her sense of humour.
There is still something of Mum left and I think it's the best part,
her sense of humour and her musicality.
# If I loved you... #
Iris no longer always recognises her son,
but they can still share one thing, a love of singing.
I can name a song that she used to sing 40 years ago,
50 years ago and she's there.
# Oh! #
BOTH: # Longing to... #
Iris spent her whole life singing on stage in local musical productions.
We know that music can be a fantastic prompt
for people with dementia.
When memory for names and faces begins to fade,
often the words and music of songs are still there.
And, of course, it triggers emotional memories,
memories of happy days of dancing,
of enjoyment, of growing up, all sorts of memories,
and, for many of us, music can be a way of calming and soothing.
# Never to know... #
Very nice. There we are.
Thank you very much. Are you going to take a bow?
Yes? We'll get up, we'll take a bow, you can clap again now, yeah?
Kevin must now make the long two-and-a-half-hour drive home,
having to leave his mum behind until the next musical visit.
Yeah, just like that.
But there's something else to keep Iris busy today.
Oh, she's gorgeous.
The children are ready for action again.
# All my love All my kissing
# You don't know what you've been a-missing
# Oh, boy, when you're with me Oh, boy... #
The adults regularly do chair aerobics.
Today's class has six extra members.
OK guys, you've got to be really big helpers
and help them with the exercises like we were doing.
Sometimes it can be a little bit harder with the dementia, you know,
just trying to get them focused on, you know,
different things as a team,
we're always trying to strive to find other things that we can do.
And they're all trying to join in
and it was lovely the kids were joining in as well.
Iris is really getting involved. Mm-hm.
And David is really joining in as well, David, wasn't he? Yeah.
APPLAUSE
After an energetic start, there's time to relax.
And four-year-old Leo discovers
he's got something in common with 81-year-old David.
That's a bobby-dazzler.
Mini.
And what's that one there? Show David.
What's this one? Cos I don't know about cars.
David was a chauffeur for more than 25 years,
whilst Leo's favourite things are cars and keys.
# I stole a kiss at the turn of a mile... #
He's just a lovely, lovely little boy and very chatty...
and loves cars, loves keys.
Can start it with this key.
Whilst David has an Alzheimer's diagnosis,
Leo also has a condition that he must learn to cope with.
It was brought to my attention by a family member,
that, when he was two years old,
that he was progressing slowly, really,
wasn't doing a lot that most two-year-olds were.
He was having quite a lot of meltdowns,
getting very frustrated cos of his lack of speech,
he was diagnosed with ASD, which is autism spectrum disorder.
Every day is a learning curve for us all as a family
and myself and my husband,
and other family members as well
with him because you never know how he's going to be.
The psychologists have organized a special treat
for these two car fanatics.
Shall David come with us, look at the cars in the car park?
Bingo. Shall we hold his hand?
There we are. There we go.
Do you want to hold David's hand, Leo? Oh, yes.
I'm a star. Which way are we going?
I don't know. Any old way.
Outside is a vintage Austin Westminster,
just like the one David used to drive.
Oh, where is it? Shall we come round this way?
Down this little path.
Look at this one here, Leo. Do you like this one?
David's memories of cars are memories of happy times
and we want to help trigger those
by taking him on a reminiscence journey
and it's one that Leo can join in.
It's a nice one.
Bobby-dazzler.
There we are. I'll go in here.
In you go.
Very nice.
Are you driving?
HE BEEPS THE HORN
Who was that?
HE LAUGHS
Where shall we go?
Where? I don't know.
HE BEEPS THE HORN
Woohoo! Who was that?
Me.
And they get to have a spin around the car park together.
What we're aiming to do is to achieve good moments,
it may be the person doesn't remember
five or ten minutes later
exactly what's happened,
but that doesn't mean it's not having a good effect.
Wonderful.
You'll be a chauffeur, driving along,
changing gear, pumping horns.
When it's raining.
Ooh! Switch it on
and it clears all the wet off the window.
Oh, dear.
Hello. Hello. Fine.
This brief escape back to the 1950s
and to David's glory days as a chauffeur
has also strengthened a new friendship.
Thank you.
Back inside the centre, they're making paper hats together.
It's a chance for the older generation
to offer the children
one priceless commodity that they have in spades.
Time. That's enough.
The opportunity to focus on one simple task
with an adult gives the child that valuable time,
that sometimes isn't always available in modern life.
Four-year-old Arji is keen to involve Peter,
but doesn't appear to have much success.
Do we paint this on the...?
Put it on there.
The activity doesn't seem to have quite worked for Peter,
he seems to have sat back a bit,
but Arji has persevered and he's tried to
involve Peter as much as he can.
Peter re-joins everyone in the lounge.
And when the group share an ice cream and music,
there is a noticeable change in Peter's mood.
# Well, get out of that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans... #
I shook my back, boy.
Watching Peter today, he's come out more out of his shell this week,
watching, and what I've seen today,
he's definitely, he came out of his shell today.
# I said shake, rattle and roll... # PETER: Bum-bum.
# Shake, rattle and roll... # PETER: Bum-bum.
# Shake, rattle and roll... # PETER: To make my baby...
# Well, you never do nothin' to save your doggone soul. #
I think it's made a big difference to involve him in that activity.
Although it initially seemed he wasn't sure what to do,
he's relaxed a lot more into the group.
Yep, some things, there's been a nice, lovely switch, hasn't there?
Hello, baby.
Time with Arji appears to have made a big difference for Peter.
For the experts, it's proof
that good moments can reap benefits for people with dementia,
even if they can't recall them later.
Have a look at this.
There's one with the little lad who's been here today. Arji.
He's a nice little one. Yeah.
Yeah. Have you been doing anything with him at all?
Not to my knowledge.
However brief it may be,
the children's company is having an impact.
Me and Lacey want to stop now. Stop.
What's this?
My back's got pain in it.
There we are.
Oh, is she helping her?
Mo has stayed in the room throughout the day
and now she shows signs she wants to reach out further.
Lucy's baby. Can you look after Lucy's baby, please?
She's asking her to look after it.
Aw.
For the first time in years, Mo tries to speak.
When are you coming back?
Aw.
When are you coming back?
Yeah.
So we know that dolls can be a great source of attachment and comfort
for some people with dementia.
But when we see the person with dementia
beginning to let go of that symbol
because they're getting immersed in real relationships,
that's really telling us something very important.
We're going to say goodbye.
ALL: Bye-bye!
It's only been two days,
but it's clear bonds are already developing between the new friends.
# When two hearts are caring
# Magic moments
# Memories we've been sharing... #
Bingo! Go round, Arji.
The kids are not letting me hug her.
One, two! One, two!
With the children gone and nothing to distract her,
Jean returns to her former habit and has a cry before home time.
# Oh, here we are again
# Happy as can be
# All good friends and wonderful company... #
Yoo-hoo!
# Here we are again
# Happy as can be... #
It's the last day,
one final chance to test
just how far this experiment can transform lives.
It's just been amazing, hasn't it?
How much has already happened just in these couple of days.
If only one could continue this, you know, how wonderful that would be.
And I think the children have actually just settled in so quickly
and the adults are very comfortable with having them.
I think they're enjoying the experience,
so I think this is definitely something
that everybody would enjoy beyond three days.
Mo continues to surprise us, doesn't she?
And I wonder if, today, we can get her involved
in a one-to-one with one of the children. What do you think?
I think Leo would be a really nice match for Mo. He's such a gentle,
calm child, so maybe he'd be quite ideal.
# Here we are again... #
For the adults, it's business as usual.
9am, the bus does the rounds to collect each one from home.
# Jolly good company. #
And among them, a familiar face has returned.
David has decided to come back for day three.
I do like to play with children. I do like to talk to them and that.
There's also a brand-new member,
who's feeling very unsure.
87-year-old Dot has been too apprehensive
to come along before.
Oh, really?
You missed out on Monday and you missed out on Tuesday.
Yes, I know.
I wouldn't have come here if I'd have known today.
Why? Cos I don't like it.
I don't like anything like this.
Do you know what?
We'll be just having some nice time with the kids.
You'll be fine.
I would have stayed at home, had I known.
Well, I'm glad that you've come.
I'm really glad that you've come.
I'm not because I'm cross about it. You will have a great time.
You're not cross. Where are the others coming here today?
Who? The other children.
People with dementia can sometimes cope with their condition
by sitting back, by letting the world pass them by.
That way, they don't make mistakes, they don't fail.
But what we want to do is to actually change the environment,
to change things so that they can engage,
they can interact without failure,
and in that way we can draw on the rich vein of expertise
and experience and knowledge that's still there.
I don't like it down here.
Dot remains adamant she doesn't want to stay.
I thought you didn't like it upstairs in the...
No, I don't like it upstairs.
Hey-up, here they are.
Until the moment she sees the children. Hello!
Hello! Hello! Good morning!
Hello! Hi! Yoo-hoo!
Hello.
Bingo!
Bingo! Bang!
Bang!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I've got no dust left.
For the final morning,
the psychologists want the two age groups
to share a fun challenge together.
Mo and Leo have teamed up in the activity room.
And it's four-year-old Leo who's encouraging Mo to join in.
You can do it.
We can do it.
Mo was always a keen cake-maker
and this activity helps tap into that.
It's really nice for her to have maybe an activity
where she can contribute. Mm.
She's on an equal level.
There's nothing different or judgmental
about either of these individuals.
Where's your baby? Mm?
Where's the baby?
Aw.
She's gone. Are they in there?
Mo is not only continuing to speak,
but for the first time in two years,
her baby has been put to the side.
She can give Leo her full attention.
She's eaten it!
But there doesn't seem to be much cake-making going on.
She being a cheeky monkey, Leo?
Yes, she is a cheeky monkey.
LAUGHTER
I think it's nice for the children to see
that adults can break the rules too.
Yes. This is what we want.
Leo, Mo, enjoying being in the moment together,
they're having fun,
there's no pressure,
nobody's judging them,
and they're just enjoying the moment.
Meanwhile, in the main lounge, other friendships are flourishing -
including that of reluctant returner David,
who's been won over by four-year-old Elena.
Oh, that's lovely.
David and Elena are having a lovely time with their artwork.
Look what I'm doing. Oh, that's lovely.
A green hat.
Because it's not quiet.
Chatty Elena is loving the quiet one-to-one time so much,
she's keen to return. When am we coming...?
When am I coming here again?
Just an hour ago, Dot didn't want to be here.
Now she's busy decorating cakes with Arji.
Boo!
Put it in there.
It's really good for the children
to come to an environment like this,
because they get to experience the slower pace.
Oh, now, be careful, darling.
Be careful. You want to cut it?
Do you want to cut it? Do you want to cut it like that?
Dot is reminded that she can assume the role of a caring adult.
Like that. That's nice, isn't it?
Do you want another?
But Arji's enthusiasm might still take a bit of getting used to.
At the final lunch,
it's clear that after only three days,
they're happy to share more about their lives.
I think I'm having fish and chips. I think so.
I was told yesterday, but I can't remember.
You see, I have a problem.
It's an old people's problem called dementia.
So I don't always remember everything.
David's revelation leaves Elena unfazed, but just as curious.
I remember... Do you remember what happened in the old days?
I remember.
What did you do when you were young?
Football.
Football. I can do football.
David, are you older than me or younger than me?
If you had a team with David, what would you call your team?
The Super Footballers.
How old are you? Hm?
Maybe 13 or 15.
13 or 15?
Feel happy.
This has been a lovely, natural pairing from the morning.
Absolutely.
Oh, my God.
# Lollipop, lollipop
# Oh, lolli, lolli, lolli... #
The group now have just a couple of hours left together.
Hello. We've got a surprise for you.
And what better way to finish the experiment
than with a good old-fashioned knees-up?
We want the group to share one last and perfect moment together.
A chance to become one gang, no longer separated by age.
Hello. Hi. Hi.
And live music will be at the heart of the party.
The psychologists have organised a singer
and a baby grand piano as entertainment.
There we go. Hello.
Say hi, Elena.
Music and emotions are linked in such a powerful way.
Studies have shown that even babies
whilst in the womb respond to music.
Music continues to be part of people's lives.
Hi, everybody.
Hello. Hello. I'm here to do a bit of playing
and a bit of singing if anyone would like to join me.
You're a wonderful man. Oh, that would be nice.
Thank you very much. I'm glad you noticed.
You're probably wondering why this is...
all coming up. We'll do the grand unveiling, shall we?
As you guessed, it's a piano.
# Do do de do de do... #
Help me out.
All right, then.
He's not waving at me.
I know the words! Can you do it?
# You make me feel so young
# You make me feel like spring has sprung
# And every time I see you grin
# I'm such a happy individual
# The moment that you speak... #
We know that many of the adults love the music
of the 1950s and '60s.
We hope, by tapping into this era,
we will trigger memories of happier times
where they too were young and carefree,
just like their new friends.
# You and I
# Are just like a couple of tots
# Running across the meadow
# Picking up lots of forget-me-nots
# You make me feel so young... #
It's really important in dementia care
to stimulate all the senses,
and touch is often the sense that's overlooked.
Touch is so important for all of us.
The importance of a hug, a cuddle.
# When I'm old and grey... #
All these things can make a real difference
to people's mood and wellbeing.
Only this morning, Dot didn't want to even meet the children,
but now enjoys a special moment with Elena.
Dot didn't come for the whole week,
because when I saw Dot today with that little girl,
the little girl was falling asleep on her chest
and, oh, that was so sweet,
and it was such a shame
that she didn't do the rest of the week.
For Mo, listening to the music has an incredibly calming effect.
It creates the perfect opportunity
to give Lacey Anne her undivided attention.
We've seen how much Mo gets from the dolls,
but it's lovely to see how this warmth
can be transferred to another person.
And for the children,
after just three days,
we can now see that they are perfectly comfortable
in each other's company with their new, wise, older friends.
Maureen, I think she's really benefited
from having the experience of children here,
as she's always...
She's always a caring person with the dolls,
and seeing the children here,
she's been a lot more focused, a lot more engaged.
Her emotions of seeing the kids has been marvellous, it really has.
Every one of us have been touched by it.
But when she's with children, she just lights up.
Her eyes light up and everything.
That little girl...
..do you remember?
It was me? It was you, yes.
THEY LAUGH
Just three days ago, Mo didn't even speak.
Now she's the first on the dance floor and the centre of attention.
The opportunity to have fun and share a dance together
has really brought this group together.
And the children don't expect the older people
to sit down in their chairs and watch them,
they expect them to get up and be part of the fun.
# You and I
# Are just like a couple of tots
# Running across the meadow
# Picking up lots of forget-me-nots...
# Cos you make me feel so young
# You make me feel so young
# You make me feel so young. #
Right, then. That was lovely. Thanks for joining in. Are you going?
The experiment is over,
and it's time for these new friends to say final goodbyes.
ALL: Bye!
Hiya, girls and boys! We're going to miss you.
Where have you been?
# Somewhere over... #
Lovely. It's been emotional.
I'm going to start crying now.
No, it's been lovely to see their faces.
It's been lovely. Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
Before leaving, the children give their new friends a gift -
a photo of themselves.
Bye-bye.
MUSIC: Over The Rainbow By Harold Arlen
Hopefully, carry on with this,
and maybe, hopefully, they'll be coming every two weeks
to carry on.
It's been such a positive experience.
You see, people forget their relationships with dementia
and things, but you can establish new ones.
It's not that they're, you know, completely gone.
I think they sort of...
They need to keep things like this going
because they're important. Give me a kiss.
On me cheek.
I can't kiss you.
Bingo.
This really has been a shared experience for the group.
The final activity gave them
the chance to be in the moment together
where age and conditions have no barriers.
Bye-bye.
Bye. Bye-bye!
Who's that? It's me!
They've given us a card. Yes, you.
For the children,
this experience has given them
that really valuable one-to-one attention
from the old adults.
In just three days, we've seen some remarkable changes and improvements.
Our research is ongoing,
but we can already see from the evidence before us
that this really makes a difference,
and the children have been key.
They've made the difference.
They've given us all a new perspective,
a new view on dementia.
It's really important to see the person behind the diagnosis.
It's time for the adults to go home, and for life to go back to normal.
But the children have left a special memento that Mo -
who's perhaps transformed most during this experience -
will take home.
Oh, there's somebody been doing those.
They're good, you know.
They've got those colours on and...
They are. They've made a good job of them, haven't they?
Where are you going to put it?
I don't know. I've been...
Well, take it home with you...
..and when you get home you can think about it, can't you?
ALL: Bye!
# Lollipop, lollipop
# Oh, lolli, lolli, lolli
# Lollipop, lollipop
# Oh, lolli, lolli, lolli
# Lollipop, lollipop
# Oh, lolli, lolli, lolli
# Lollipop
# Bu-bum, bum, bum
# Lollipop, lollipop
# Oh, lolli, lolli, lolli
# Lollipop, lollipop
# Oh, lolli, lolli, lolli
# Lollipop, lollipop
# Oh, lolli, lolli, lolli
# Lollipop
# Bu-bum, bum, bum
# Call my baby lollipop
# Tell you why
# His kiss is sweeter than an apple pie
# And when he does his shaky rockin' dance
# Man, I haven't got a chance
# Bu-bum, bum, bum
# Lollipop, lollipop
# Oh, lolli, lolli, lolli
# Lollipop, lollipop
# Oh, lolli, lolli, lolli
# Lollipop, lollipop
# Oh, lolli, lolli, lolli
# Lollipop. #