Music proves best medicine in dementia care
A VETERANS care home has been awarded a grant to bring meaningful music to dementia patients.
Erskine were given the cash boost from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund for the six month pilot project ‘Playlist for Life’ within Erskine Park Home.
‘Playlist for Life’ works to bring benefits of personally meaningful music in dementia care to as many people as possible, regardless of where they are in the UK.
The project was founded by Scottish broadcaster and writer Sally Magnusson.
Sally visited Erskine Park Home on Wednesday to talk about the effect the project will have on those living with dementia and met with staff, residents and their families at the Relatives Cafe.
She said: “I am thrilled that the wonderful Erskine Park Home is implementing Playlist for Life.
“Personal music is such a fantastic way of reconnecting people living with dementia with their loved ones and their memories, and i n many cases to l ost identity.
“I am delighted to know that Playlist for Life is now going to be implemented in Erskine Park Home.
“Families will be helping staff to find the music that means the most to the resident.
“The more personal it is the more it is going to be beneficial.
“This is a joint enterprise with your wonderful staff and yourself.
“The Care Inspectorate has suggested every care home in Scotland implement Playlist for Life and I am delighted to see the message spreading which can make a real change to people’s lives.
“I wish you all the best in the Playlist for Life journey – there is going to be lots of singing and dancing!”
The broadcaster previously cared for her mother with dementia and has spoken of how she noticed that music became the only thing keeping her with the family.
She noted that music became the only thing keeping her with the family and became a tool to help her mother live with the illness. The project encourages families and caregivers to create a playlist of personally meaningful music on an iPod for people with dementia.
Researchers have highlighted the potential for music to alleviate dementia symptoms such as anxiety and agitation, reducing the need for medication.
Erskine Park Home is a 40-bed care home which offers specialist dementia care to residents who are veteran or spouses of veterans.