Do you remember when…?

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By Candace Davis
March 25, 2007 EAST

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give,” — Sir Winston Churchill.

A group of university students eager to apply their theoretical knowledge in a hospital setting have helped Mater staff and patients realise what delivering exceptional, holistic health care is really all about.

The fourth year University of Queensland Occupational Therapy students worked collaboratively with the Mater Occupational Therapy department to develop ‘Do you remember when…?’ in 2005, which was later completed by students from the class of 2006.

‘Do you remember when…?’ provides a variety of activities, including video messaging, scrap-booking, memory boxes, story telling and letters, for cancer patients at Mater Adult Hospital Wards 10A and 10B to look back on their lives.

The project was the brainchild of Occupational Therapists Merilyn Tefay and Ann Hyatt and Palliative Care CNC Decima Jones, who wanted to formally offer assistance to terminally and seriously ill patients wanting to collate their memories.

“We tried to design a self-running project, where a Mater volunteer could maintain the templates and information, and patients and staff could access it as it was required,” Ann Hyatt said.

“‘Do you remember when…?’ is a meaningful way for people to spend their time and reflect on their lives,” she said. “It gives them a sense of independence and satisfaction.”

The students received a distinction for their exceptional work, and Mater patients continue to benefit from it’s implementation today.

May 07, 2008 EAST. Webmaster

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