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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Senay Boztas in The Hague

‘Smell it, it’s wonderful’: Dutch gallery designs tours for people with dementia

Annie Versteeg is followed by Bwieuwkje Bruinenberg-Haisma, being pushed in a wheelchair by her son Harry, through Kunstmuseum Den Haag.
Annie Versteeg is followed by Bwieuwkje Bruinenberg-Haisma, being pushed by her son Harry, through Kunstmuseum Den Haag. Photograph: Judith Jockel/The Guardian

Eight people approached a fragrant carpet of lavender in the Kunstmuseum Den Haag gallery. Four of them had dementia and four were their relatives and carers. “Put your nose nearer the ground and smell it, it’s wonderful!” called Annie Versteeg, 88, to Bwieuwkje Bruinenberg-Haisma, 90, in her wheelchair nearby.

“This tour is about colour and here we have a colour and it goes with a smell,” said Yke Prins, the museum guide. “Do you know what it is? It is lavender. What does it make you think about?”

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