Dementia care
dementia and other symptoms of older age. Music has a unique power to improve physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. As evidence for the benefits of using music in dementia care increases, this is reflected in the fact that it is recognised in NICE’s Dementia Guidelines, and for those living in the community, music can be used through ‘social prescribing.’2
Staff report
feeling more confident and motivated, and that music can help deepen their relationship with people with dementia and their family carers. A working paper from ‘A Choir in
Every Care Home’ also demonstrates how music can help in meeting Care Quality Commission assessment criteria.3
Their
website also provides a range of resources, including research findings.
Music has power even in the later stages of dementia Alive Inside is a film that poignantly demonstrates how memories and feelings can be awakened for people with dementia through the power of music even in later stages of the disease. This ground- breaking film of Naomi Feil using music and validation techniques with Gladys - a woman with late-stage dementia - is not only emotional; it demonstrates how the use of singing personalised gospel music, rhythm, movement and recalling the power of appropriate touch can reawaken Gladys and create an emotional connection – making communication possible. A search on YouTube provides examples
of how music can benefit those with late-stage dementia with non-verbal communication skills, as Huguette is brought alive through listening and singing to French songs, relieving her
Things to try and think about
n What thoughts/memories/feelings were triggered by this article?
n Grab a cuppa with your colleagues and explore ideas for using music and rhythm on a one-to-one basis- e.g. during personal care - or when people with dementia are anxious or distressed.
n Choose four people with dementia in your care setting. Research their life history - involving their relatives/ friends - and create a personalised playlist for each of them.
n How could you use music more effectively in group settings?
n Think about your care planning processes. How could you find out more about the music preferences of the people you care for?
n How could you involve family carers in finding out more about musical preferences of people with dementia in your care?
n In what ways could you use music as part of creative a positive mealtime experience?
feelings of distress.4 Many will have seen the emotional clip of a ballerina with Alzheimer’s Disease listening to Swan Lake while sitting in her wheelchair. The music stimulates her ‘muscle memory’ - acutely developed in dancers - from her having performed the piece.5
Also, Tony Bennett, despite having
dementia, recently performed with Lady Gaga.
Music has a remarkable restorative
power, as shown by Paul Harvey, who despite his dementia, can still compose music and has achieved a lifetime ambition of conducting the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. As Paul said: “Everything is possible – even if you have dementia.” The overwhelming lesson from these films are that whilst many assume that the person with dementia is ‘lost’ as their dementia progresses, we can still actually reach the person and connect with them on an emotional level. That is the magic of music. There are a plethora of projects,
initiatives and organisations that are driving forward the power of music in dementia and older people’s care. National Activity Providers Association produces a range of resources and services to promote music and activity, including the useful Getting Creative with Tech guide. Other projects to highlight include: Arts in Care Homes, Music for Life, Playlist for Life and Dancesing.
This article has attempted to introduce
you to the benefits of music in dementia. However, it is a vast topic. There are so many great projects I have not included here. However, I would love to hear about your experiences about the power of music in dementia care, so please get in contact at
mike@meaningfulcarematters.com. n
Mike Phillips
Mike Phillips is an associate consultant trainer at Meaningful Care Matters, which specialises in helping health and social care providers to access a variety of support services. Mike’s passion for working with older people started when he was three months old when he first visited a care home where his grandmother was ‘Matron’. By age six, he was ‘Chief Entertainments Officer and Activities Co-ordinator’, giving a concert every morning after breakfast for residents – whether they listened or not. After several roles, including senior management, Mike became a freelance trainer, facilitator, consultant and coach. He is delighted to be part of the team at Meaningful Care Matters, where his passions for learning/training and dementia care combine. Mike’s training style is based on ‘brain-friendly learning theory’ sessions designed to interactive, inspiring and fun.
February 2022
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 41
References 1. NHS England, Music and dementia: a powerful connector, 2018 https://www.england.nhs. uk/blog/music-and-dementia-a-powerful- connector/
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Dementia Quality Standard [QS184], 28 June 2019,
https://www.nice.org. uk/guidance/qs184
3. A Choir In Every Care Home, Music and the Care Quality Commission, September 2017
https://achoirineverycarehome.files.
wordpress.com/2016/04/aciech-wp-11-cqc- and-kloe.pdf
4. Music for my Mind charity video, https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KTgAs1sKHs
5.
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=OT8AdwV0Vkw
6.
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=yNrvXw9juNs&t=81s
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