Hat stand for encouraging social activity at a day centre for the elderly

Staff at a local Day Centre for the elderly use a collection of hats to encourage and stimulate members with dementia to reminisce and discuss when and where the hats were worn. The staff asked for a hat stand that could be “flat-packed” for assembly at one of their craft sessions.

A hat stand was constructed and doweling pegs used for the collection of 60 hats. The pieces of the stand were numbered to aid reconstruction and then dismantled. Members of the Day Centre were able to sand, varnish and reconstruct the hat stand, promoting discussion and remembered skills.

The hats provide lots of encouragement for members to chat about their lives and memories. The hats are also used in singing and dancing sessions. The hat stand with hats is a decorative feature as well as being a great social success.

(Shaftesbury)