Combining Music with Hourly or Live In Homecare Visits
There is increasing evidence that music can play a vital role in the lives of older adults, providing social cohesion and enjoyment, helping with expression and wellbeing
Music and Dementia
According to a report by the NHS, music and memory are powerfully connected. Music ignites emotions attached to memories from long in our past, and it is known that for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, distant experiences are remembered more easily than recent ones. Emotions are also more likely to be remembered than facts or events. Drawing on positive emotions through music can have many benefits, helping to reduce anxiety and depression whilst also maintaining speech and language. The recent Ageing Index Survey by Home Instead highlights that 66% of older adults feel excluded by the new music which is produced so it is important that we take a proactive approach. Our own Care Professionals understand how to choose music for different purposes – classical music for a calming effect or something faster to raise energy levels. They regularly report not only that their client’s mood has been lifted by listening or singing along with their old favourites but the music has enabled conversations about memories and past experiences.
People with advanced symptoms of dementia can still be energised by listening to music, as demonstrated in these videos:
Music and Social Engagement for older adults
Wellbeing and happiness
Music can have an indirect benefit on health, wellbeing and happiness because it can lead to increased social interaction which is why at Home Instead Stourbridge, Hagley and Halesowen we organise a twice-monthly singing group called Young at Heart at the Hagley Free Church. Individuals who we support at Home Instead mix with other members of the community, creating new relationships which are beneficial for all.
Increasing music in the home
If you want to increase the playing of music in the home there are plenty of resources and organisations available. Here are a few ideas:
- Visit Play List for Life and create a playlist with your loved one. Think about the styles or artists that your loved one has enjoyed over the years
- BBC Music Memories has activities and ready made playlists based on many themes – just pick your favourite decade
- M4D radio is a 24 hour service combining different radio stations which play music designed to evoke memories and emotions
- Make music part of a regular routine at certain times of day or consistently during different activities so that it becomes expected and normal rather than an effort or a surprise which might be stressful.
- Join In! It is great fun and it is well known that people with dementia are much more likely to participate if they can follow your lead.
The Universal Power of Music
The universal ability of music to make connections in the brain and connections with other people make it a very powerful tool for improving quality of life, particularly in a homecare setting where musical memories will also be associated with different rooms in the house giving the music a warmth which may not be achievable in other settings. Enjoying music is something which anyone can do with no cost and managed by Home Instead carers it can be tailored to the personal preferences of the individual. Live In care can be especially good as carers build an understanding of someone’s likes and dislikes 24 hours a day. If you would like to find out more about how Home Instead can help to bring music into the home of a loved one, give us a call for a no-obligation chat.
Join a local singing group in Stourbridge, Hagley or Halesowen.
If you enjoy singing or if you just want to have fun and meet new people, you could also reap the social benefits whilst keeping your brain healthy by joining a local singing group. There are plenty to choose from:
In Sound Company Choir is a friendly community choir based in Stourbridge with no previous experience necessary.
Quarry Bank Music Club meets at Quarry Bank Community Centre on the first Monday every month.
Sing together for health and happiness is for people in their “retirement years”, singing at Amblecote Christian Centre.
Singing Angels is a Church of England group meeting at St Mary’s Church on the second Sunday every month.
Young at Heart is our own Home Instead wellbeing sing a long on the first and third Wednesday every month at Hagley Free Church
Rock Choir is a contemporary choir practicing on Monday mornings at Wordsley Community Centre and Thursday evenings in Kingswinford Methodist Church
Shenstone Singers Choir meets on Friday mornings at the Ark, Lifecentral Church, Halesowen.
