Film in Care
Watching a film can be a meaningful, therapeutic activity for older people living in care homes. The Film in Care resource provides a practical guide on how to present film to people living in care homes in a way that will be most beneficial to them. It has been written in partnership with two Dundee University researchers who carried out their own original research on this topic.
The resource contains 10 Core Principles for Film in Care, which is intended to give you a basic ‘how to’ guide for film screenings within your own homes, while also complying fully with current Covid-19 guidance to ensure screenings are conducted as safely as possible.
10 core principles
Film is an active experience that taps into people’s knowledge, emotions and senses. It has benefits for health and wellbeing. Think carefully about what you want to achieve. Try things out, monitor progress, and adapt until you find what works best.
Include people in the decision. This is an important aspect of person-centred care.
Try varying the frequency and timing of screenings as well as the environment where they take place. Different things will work for different settings and different groups.
It is important to let the film run in its entirety, because starting and stopping the film, or turning it off entirely, can lead to people feeling frustrated or disappointed.
Paying attention to a film at all times is not necessary to enjoy the experience and the company. It’s important people are allowed to watch in their own way.
Film is useful for prompting reminiscences, both happy and sad. Be prepared to acknowledge all emotions as important.
Film is a sensory experience. Research shows many people enjoy singing, moving, dancing and physical activity as they watch movies. Film also taps into our emotions – notice how film impacts on a person’s mood.
A film screening is something to look forward to. Find ways to create anticipation. Watching films together can also prompt inter-generational sharing.
Film screenings work best when everyone has the opportunity to participate – people who live and work in the home as well as visitors.
Collect process and outcome data to monitor your progress. Focus on really understanding the most effective ways of using film to enhance people’s lives.
Get in touch
We are also inviting services to share their comments and feedback, their own experiences, or to get tips on running their own screenings by emailing us: filmincare@careinspectorate.gov.scot