Silent discos ‘help beat dementia’

DEMENTIA sufferers are “coming back to life” with a bop to the tunes of their youth at silent discos.

Gillian Machaffie, 52, was inspired to run the events after seeing how music affected her mother-in-law Reta, who has the illness.

She now goes into hospitals and care homes to run the events, where the guests listen via headphones.

Gillian’s 90-minute playlist includes The Beatles, Elvis and folk music.

She said of Reta, 87: “We noticed that she got up to dance and sing and it was a distraction from her anxious thoughts and confusion.

“Music switches on pathways in the brain that aren’t otherwise accessible.”

Studies show music can take dementia sufferers back to “a place of normality”.

Gillian, who runs a silent disco firm called Ya Dancer from Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, said: “People put the music on and their faces light up. They’re clapping their hands and singing. What gets me the most is watching families cry as they watch their lost loved ones return to their former selves through dancing, singing and feeling really happy.”

The mother of one also revealed Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da and Hey Jude are often favourites as the OAPs can remember the words.

She added: “With the headphones on they’re immersed in the music and there’s no distractions. It might be one of the only times they have strong memories come through.”