The old objects helping those with dementia remember

Sandra Leckey was inspired to set up the Remember When initiative

A pair of worn leather ice skates. A decades-old dog-eared Beano, its spine frayed and torn. Milk bottles, an abacus, a school handbell.

These are just some of the things that Sandra Leckey uses in her day job - working in a care home with people living with dementia.

It was 10 years ago that Sandra brought objects that had belonged to her parents into the care home.

When she put them on the table, they helped trigger memories and conversations. People started to lift them and talk.

It was a moment that helped inspire her to set up the Remember When initiative, which provides reminiscence therapy.

"In that group there were three people who played golf and they hadn't even met each other," she told BBC News NI.

"All of a sudden for a whole hour I had their attention and they had my mine, but the objects were all original and they were all from the past.

"A lot of times people with dementia don't remember what they had for breakfast, or sadly who their family are, but they do remember the long term.

"They go back and they become alive and they communicate."

Ken and Eleanor Jack have been married for nearly 65 years

Eleanor Jack, 84, and Ken Jack, 89, have been married for nearly 65 years.

Ken has dementia and has been a full-time resident in Pond Park care home in Lisburn for three years and Sandra has been helping him communicate using old objects.

Eleanor said it's "very important" to be able to trigger memories.

"It gives you something to talk about, because what else do you talk about?

"You can't come in and tell him about what's happening in the village, that's not in his head at the minute.

"Sometimes it does help us as a couple to bring back those memories but sometimes it's also very hard because he doesn't remember you, who you were or the things you did."

Ken has had dementia for several years and has been a full time resident in Pond Park care home in Lisburn for three years

What is dementia?

Dementia is a symptom found in many diseases of the brain.

Memory loss is the most common symptom, particularly the struggle to remember recent events.

Others can include changes to behaviour, mood and personality, becoming lost in familiar places, or being unable to find the right word in a conversation.

It can reach the point where people don't know they need to eat or drink.

More than 22,000 people are living with dementia in Northern Ireland, according to the Alzheimer's Society.

Some of the objects Sandra Leckey uses to trigger memories

Sandra has been showing Ken some old school items and an old copy of the Belfast Telegraph newspaper, which helped him recall his job in advertising and sales.

Sandra said the objects helped transform Ken's ability to communicate.

"About five minutes in we learnt that his mum and dad ran a post office," she added.

"We also learnt that he was a good student and all that came out just through holding old school objects.

"Through using these old objects we learnt about his unique life story, that's personal to him.

"You are losing pieces with dementia all the time, but you can still find something to talk about and communicate.

"Sometimes I feel that's what is wrong with the world, we don't communicate, connect, engage and empower each other.

"It doesn't matter what subject you are talking about - as long as it's communication."