Archive: What Songs Will You Listen to When you are 80?

One of my all time favourite things to do is sink into a big bubble bath, with a glass of wine listening to music that brings back happy memories; one song in particular that I like to listen to is ‘Better Together’ by Jack Johnson. This is mine and my husband’s song, and the music for our first dance at our wedding.

I love to listen to music that reminds me of milestones in my life, no doubt as my daughter grows up I will have many songs which remind me of her. This got me thinking about our Musica workshops and our emphasis on the use of stimulating music to promote memory recall; I wondered ‘what songs would I like to hear when I am 80?’ I am sure that the Spice Girls would appear in my top playlist, maybe Aerosmith, Dire Straits or even S Club 7 (I have quite an eclectic taste!)

I find it fascinating to see the shift in musical tastes already changing within the older generation, gone are the days of singing Vera Lynn songs, instead residents are requesting Cliff Richard, Tom Jones and the Beatles. In the not too distant future I’m sure we will hear the Rolling Stones playing in care homes across the country!

I would love to hear about your own musical memories, share your stories in the comment box below.

Music During Care Routine

I believe that music can be integrated into part of the care package for people living with dementia. I have had many care homes asking for our advice on how to establish this integration, and so I have decided to produce a bi-monthly blog post with tips on how to use music as part of your daily care routine. No musical experience is required!

During my current PhD research into the effects of music for people living with dementia, I have read about the use of music during morning care routines and I thought that this would be a good place to start.

Firstly, this should go without saying, chat with the person you are caring for about their favourite song/singer/style of music, did they used to go dancing? Did they ever play an instrument? If they didn’t play an instrument, what instrument would they have liked to play? Do they like to listen to the radio?

Make a note of their responses, remember musical taste is changeable dependent on our moods, so make sure you chat about their preference on a regular basis. Find some of the songs they mentioned or musical style.

Talk about things other than the task you are focussing on e.g. whilst you are helping them to put their shirt on you might like to talk about dancing, and what they would wear to dance in, play some dance music and help to put their shirt on as you talk about the piece. If it takes a little while to put the shirt on the person living with dementia may not become as frustrated as they might had they been getting ready in silence. 

Music can be an excellent distraction.

If you find that the person you care caring for becomes agitated during washing, sing to them gentle easy songs that are easy to sing along with e.g. Que Serra Serra, Daisy Daisy, You are my Sunshine etc.  Use the music as a tool for communication, make sure you keep eye contact, and smile!

It is important that the music is not used in a patronising way, ensure that the person you are caring for has choice; are there any particular songs they would like to hear? Perhaps they wouldn’t like to hear music this morning? Everyone is entitled to make their own choices, be sure not to inflict your own preference onto the care situation.

The use of music for people living with dementia is a growing area of research, a small number of studies explore the use of music during care routines. Research conducted by Hammar et al (2010) shows that music therapeutic caregiving (MTC) – when caregivers sing for or together with PWD (persons with dementia) during caregiving activities – can enhance communication for people living with dementia and can evoke more vitality and positive emotions (Hammar et al 2010. Communicating through caregiver singing during morning care situations in dementia care.  Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences.)

I would love to hear whether you use music during morning care routines and whether you find it beneficial in other areas of care? Do you sing the same songs each day or do you add variety? 

Post your comments below.

www.musica-music.co.uk

Launch of Musica Derbyshire

With an ever increasing demand for care homes to engage and stimulate their residents, it can be a challenge to provide a variety of activities which is highly important for both the well-being of the residents and the reputation of the care home. Musica is fast becoming the answer to this concern and the business has recently launched with a new Area Manager in Derbyshire.

Musica offers affordable hour-long music workshops to care homes, taking residents on a musical journey from a gentle warm up, through to reminiscence, quizzes and singing – culminating in a live performance from talented, professional Musica Representatives. With clients ranging from large care home groups to small independent establishments, this unique business specialises in the care home market with the aim of stimulating residents and improving cognitive functions, providing a more active life for people in care homes. 

Musica focuses on the well-being of older people and particularly specialises in the engagement of people with dementia. Musica is an active corporate partner of the Alzheimer’s Society and a member of the Dementia Action Alliance.Kate Jackson, pictured, is joining the Musica team to run the Derbyshire territory. She says “the capabilities of communicating through music are remarkable and I have found my true calling as a musician.I am passionate about music, and through Musica I hope to share my enthusiasm and enjoyment for music with older adults."

As well as workshops, Musica also provides musicians for care settings looking to have performances as part of open days or special occasions. To learn more about Musica, visit www.musica-music.co.uk

Songs from the Musicals Boosts Cognitive Function of People Living with Dementia

I read an article a few months back in the Guardian Newspaper, about the benefits of singing well-known musicals with people with Alzheimer’s Disease.  A four month study in the US showed that regularly singing songs from popular musicals such as ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘The Sound of Music’ can improve the brain function of people with moderate to severe dementia.

Subjects in the study participated in three 50 minute group sessions per week for four months; showing the importance of involving people with dementia in regular group music sessions. The results showed that cognitive functions were improved after the four month period of regular singing; this was measured using drawing tests and quality of life measurements.

The reason behind this is that familiar music stimulates the brain, involving areas connected with memory (such as the hippocampus).  When we listen to music a multitude of events occur; firstly, the primary auditory cortex processes the music and interacts with the frontal lobe. The broca’s area (linked with speech function) responds, causing us to sing along with songs we are familiar with. The medial prefrontal cortex plays a major role as it is linked with cognitive behaviour; expression and social behaviour; this is used when an image of a specific event connected to a song is recalled, such as our first kiss. Therefore, singing well known songs can activate previously unused areas of the brain, leading to an increase in engagement and cognitive stimulation.

The Alzheimer’s Society is an advocate of singing for people with dementia, through their Singing for the Brain (SfTB) groups:

"There is much anecdotal evidence that the groups have real benefits for people with dementia," a spokesperson said. "Even when many memories are hard to retrieve, music can sometimes still be recalled, if only for a short while. The sessions help people with dementia communicate, improving their mood and leaving them feeling good about themselves."

In our Musica workshops we see firsthand the amazing benefits of participating in music workshops and singing popular songs, particularly those from the musicals. We sing a variety of well known songs in our sessions and regularly use musicals to form part of our Musica quiz.  It is great to see the often immediate improvement in cognitive function after singing a song which ignites a particular memory for a participant living with dementia.

We are going to run a series of posts over the next couple of months for carers of people with dementia, focusing on how you can use simple musical activities each day to benefit their health and wellbeing. If you would like to contribute to this, please put your ideas in a comment below.

For more information about Musica visit www.musica-music.co.uk

Using Day to Day Activities for Meaningful Engagements with your Residents

We know that it can often be difficult to engage your residents in meaningful activities, and to provide a person centred approach to activities run within care settings.  It is important that people maintain their independence once they move into a care home, and continue to take part in daily activities; this can boost people's self esteem, provide them with a sense of achievement and improve their well-being.

We've spoken with our clients and colleagues, and we've come up with our top 10 day to day activities for meaningful engagements with your residents (in no particular order):

1. Keeping Animals - Keeping animals such as chickens can provide an enjoyable routine, particularly for residents who used to live on a farm or had livestock. Collecting the eggs and eating them for breakfast is very rewarding!
2. Making the Bed - Some residents may enjoy helping staff to make their bed, providing them with a sense of achievement and pride.
3. Polishing Cutlery - This can be nice as a 1:1 or group activity; whilst polishing perhaps play some music in the background, talk about the days when the residents polished cutlery at home or at work if they were a waitress/waiter.
4. Folding Tea towels or Napkins - For residents that often wander you may find that they enjoy sitting down and folding laundry such as tea towels or napkins, and doing something productive with their hands.
5. Watering the plants - Residents who used to enjoy gardening (and no doubt still would enjoy gardening if it is accessible) may like to help water the garden or plants, this can be a nice job in the summer during the light evenings.
6. Taking the dog for a walk - some care homes having a dog, and residents who are able might like to assist the staff with taking the dog for a walk, this is a great chance for social interaction and a nice way for the resident to have a change of scenery.
7. Helping with afternoon tea - Encourage the residents to help with afternoon tea, putting the tea bags in the pot and arranging the all important biscuits!
8. Playing the piano - if you have a piano encourage your musical residents to play, they may even find the other residents sing along!
9. Dusting - If you have a resident who is particularly house proud they may prefer to do their own dusting. Encourage them to dust their TV, photo frames etc (anything within easy reach) with a colourful feather duster.
10. Daily Crosswords - many people like to complete the crosswords in newspapers over a cup of tea, this is a great way to keep the brain active in later life. You could use crosswords from a newspaper or create your own tailored to the resident, this can form a great conversation stater.

What are your top activities? We would love to know what works in your home.

Have a good week!

www.musica-music.co.uk

Case Study Musica Wiltshire

New Area Manager for Musica West Midlands

With an ever increasing demand for care homes to engage and stimulate their residents, it can be a challenge to provide a variety of activities which is highly important for both the well-being of the residents and the reputation of the care home. Musica is fast becoming the answer to this concern and the business has recently launched with a new Area Manager in the West Midlands.

Musica offers affordable hour-long music workshops to care homes, taking residents on a musical journey from a gentle warm up, through to reminiscence, quizzes and singing – culminating in a live performance from talented, professional Musica Representatives. With clients ranging from large care home groups to small independent establishments, this unique business specialises in the care home market with the aim of stimulating residents and improving cognitive functions, providing a more active life for people in care homes. Due to the success in South West Musica has expanded into the West Midlands!       

Musica focuses on the well-being of older people and particularly specialises in the engagement of people with dementia. Musica is an active corporate partner of the Alzheimer’s Society and a member of the Dementia Action Alliance.

Christa Hugo, pictured, is joining the Musica team to run the West Midlands territory. She says “Musica was set up in 2010 by Rosanna Mead, and since then, it has grown rapidly. I am so excited to be taking on the running of Musica here, and really looking forward to meeting local homes and their residents”.

Christa studied music at the University of Southampton and qualified as a secondary school music teacher at Bath Spa University College. Christa is a highly skilled and experienced all-round musician and gained grade 8 distinctions in both piano and oboe at a young age. At all Musica sessions in the West Midlands she will be performing and very much hopes to share her passion for music with residents and activity coordinators alike.

As well as workshops, Musica also provides musicians for care homes looking to put on open days, fetes or special entertainment. To learn more about Musica, visit www.musica-music.co.uk or call Christa Hugo on 07941 108 342.

A Little Guide To Using Music As Part of Your Daily Care Routine

We believe that music can be integrated into part of the care package for people living with dementia. We have had many care homes asking for our advice on how to establish this integration, and so we have decided to produce a weekly blog post with tips on how to use music as part of your daily care routine. No musical experience is required!

During my current PhD research into the effects of music for people living with dementia, I have read about the use of music during morning care routines and I thought that this would be a good place to start.

Firstly, this should go without saying, chat with the person you are caring for about their favourite song/singer/style of music, did they used to go dancing? Did they ever play an instrument? If they didn’t play an instrument, what instrument would they have liked to play? Do they like to listen to the radio?

Make a note of their responses, remember musical taste is changeable dependent on our moods, so make sure you chat about their preference on a regular basis. Find some of the songs they mentioned or musical style.

Talk about things other than the task you are focussing on e.g. whilst you are helping them to put their shirt on you might like to talk about dancing, and what they would wear to dance in, play some dance music and help to put their shirt on as you talk about the piece. If it takes a little while to put the shirt on the person living with dementia may not become as frustrated as they might had they been getting ready in silence.  Music can be an excellent distraction.

If you find that the person you care caring for becomes agitated during washing, sing to them gentle easy songs that are easy to sing along with e.g. Que Serra Serra, Daisy Daisy, You are my Sunshine etc.  Use the music as a tool for communication, make sure you keep eye contact, and smile!

It is important that the music is not used in a patronising way, ensure that the person you are caring for has choice; are there any particular songs they would like to hear? Perhaps they wouldn’t like to hear music this morning? Everyone is entitled to make their own choices, be sure not to inflict your own preference onto the care situation.

The use of music for people living with dementia is a growing area of research, a small number of studies explore the use of music during care routines. Research conducted by Hammar et al (2010) shows that music therapeutic caregiving (MTC) – when caregivers sing for or together with PWD (persons with dementia) during caregiving activities – can enhance communication for people living with dementia and can evoke more vitality and positive emotions (Hammar et al 2010. Communicating through caregiver singing during morning care situations in dementia care.  Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences.)

We would love to hear whether you use music during morning care routines and whether you find it beneficial in other areas of care? Do you sing the same songs each day or do you add variety? We are looking to create a facebook group for carers and Activity Coordinators to enable everyone to discuss their experiences and ideas. If you would be interested in joining this group please contact us.

Have a great week. Rosanna

www.musica-music.co.uk