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Vintage-loving couple shun modern day life for 1940s style

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A British couple have shunned the bells and whistles of modern life to embrace a more old-fashioned lifestyle. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ruth Shelley, 28, and Robert Oestmann, 27, from the West Midlands share a love of all things vintage and have redecorated their home to match. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only do they wear old-fashioned clothing, listen to wartime music on their gramophone, and refuse to own a TV, but they even own a vintage car.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 396.6386554621849px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843042/vintage-1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9594583e62334e3a8e6396a9aea530ac" /></p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram @vintage.robb</em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Robert is a keen home cook, and often experiments with recipes that date back to the 1700s when not making a living selling whiskey.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ruth, a research historian, has praised their unique vintage lifestyle for having a beneficial impact on their relationship.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She said, “</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Robert and I dress like this all of the time as we are in love with the style. Robert mainly wears a suit and flat cap whereas I may wear clothing from 1930s to 1940s.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The couple is intrigued with history and have been known to turn heads on the street with their distinctive style. </span></p> <p><img style="width: 400.5145797598628px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843043/vintage-2.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7270e81a6f8241299b45f917d23d95c2" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Instagram @ladyadepha</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ruth said, “This style isn't something you could wear if you are shy as we do get stared at a lot. We don't mind at all and it's often positive feedback.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Robert said a lot of his inspiration comes from watching old films and reading old books with his grandparents as a child. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ruth said, “In our spare time, we read, talk or Robert cooks and I help. We have a few original cookbooks which are interesting from a historical point of view.”</span></p> <p><img style="width: 426.497277676951px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843044/vintage-4.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d67759f81c024909bd052a62c212051a" /><br /><br /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Instagram @ladyadepha</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of Robert’s favourite dishes is Depression Era Meat Loaf from 1938, whereas Ruth likes to make Welsh cakes on a griddle. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The couple both claim that their lifestyle has had a positive impact on their lives and forces them to live in the present.  </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ruth said, “For us, this lifestyle works best and is beneficial for our relationships. It works for us as we are present in the moment as opposed to glued to Netflix or on our phones.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Instagram @ladyadepha @vintage.robb</span></em></p>

Retirement Life

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1940s-style room helps dementia patients recall the past

<p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447968647113_100683" class="yiv2406586101MsoNormal"><span>There are about 298,000 people in Australia who have dementia. For them, memory is transient, and something as special as a first kiss or childhood friend can be lost in the dark well of this heart-breaking condition. But doctors at an American care facility might have found the answer to recalling these lost memories.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447968647113_100687" class="yiv2406586101MsoNormal"><span>A Pennsylvania practice, known as The Easton Home, have purpose-built a room which allow residents with dementia to almost literally step back into the past. The room is decorated in 1940s-style wallpaper, complete with a traditional fireplace, early model television and grandfather clock.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447968647113_100710" class="yiv2406586101MsoNormal"><span>The purpose of the room is to stimulate memories. “The benefits of reminiscence therapy is that it taps into memories that are well-learned,” Dr Jason Karlawish, Co-Director of the Penn Memory Center told The Associated Press. It helps residence recall old memories, such as those attached to a smell or music.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447968647113_100712" class="yiv2406586101MsoNormal">And it’s clear that residents love it. “It just takes them back to a place that they’re familiar with,” says Jennifer Woolley of the Easton House. “They can talk about their stories and share their experiences.”</p> <p class="yiv2406586101MsoNormal"><span>Harry Lomping, whose partner has Alzheimer’s disease, explains that it allows him to relive moments that he wouldn’t otherwise be able to; it feels real.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447968647113_100750" class="yiv2406586101MsoNormal"><span>“I think it revives something, some feelings. It seems to, anyhow,” he says in a video by The Associated Press.</span></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447968647113_100755" class="yiv2406586101MsoNormal"><span>Admittedly, doctors say that the old-style room won’t change the course of the disease for residents, but it can have a positive impact on behaviour and mood. But if it allows those with dementia to grasp precious memories, even for a fleeting moment, then really, that’s all that counts. </span></p>

Caring