Care home highlights importance of music activities for dementia residents
A care home in Holsworthy is planning a month of music-themed activities for their dementia residents. Deer Park Nursing Home has organised for bands and singers to perform for residents throughout October, in addition to their regular ‘sing along’ and ‘reminiscing sessions’, where residents choose a favourite song from their childhood to listen to.
The popular Bude-based ukulele group, All@c, who are favourites with residents, staff and visiting family alike, performed at the start of the month, and singer Emma Louise Richards will also make a welcome return. Residents were so enthused by Emma’s music the first time she performed, they made the staff promise to have her back again.
Alyce Barber, Activities Lead at Deer Park, said: “Music can help dementia patients recall memories, so we always make sure we incorporate as much music as possible to daily life as well as our organised activities, it’s a huge priority for us.
“Our residents love their music – whenever we have a band at the home, there will always be a room full of singing and dancing. Many of our residents’ relatives come along to the events, and it always means so much to them to see their loved ones enjoying the music.
“As well as hosting performances from local singers and bands, we also try to incorporate music into day-to-day life for our residents. Whether that’s playing music during breakfast, or playing songs that link to a specific theme, like World Smile Day, we do our best to create a home that’s centred around music.
“Music is something that brings people together – it gives them the chance to share moments of joy together. One of our residents spends a lot of her time in her room, but when she heard All@c play at the home recently, she quite quickly came out of her room and was dancing around with another resident – they were mirroring each other's moves and shared a special moment of friendship together.”
Staff at Deer Park are currently organising further music-themed activities for residents including a drumming exercise session, a Christmas carol concert and a country music night with line dancing.
Deer Park Nursing Home is run by award-winning dementia care providers Camelot Care, who also run Butterfly Lodge in Plymouth and three further dementia care homes in Somerset.
