Music for dementia, let’s harness the power of music

Alzheimer’s Research UK has teamed up with Music for Dementia to help people living with dementia ‘harness the power of music’ and improve their quality of life.

The collaboration comes as Alzheimer’s Research UK is looking for dementia patients and their carers to sign up for the Join Dementia Research platform and participate in a study looking into music as a therapy.

Prof Keith McAdam, the founder of the charity Music for My Mind, is searching for 1,000 volunteers to help him research if individualised music listening might enhance behaviour and psychological symptoms.

Hilary Evans curates a playlist for ‘Music for Dementia’

Hilary Evans, CEO of Alzheimer’s Research UK, who has prepared a playlist for Music for Dementia, said, ‘Music plays a very important role in many people’s lives.

‘Music can connect people, stir emotions, trigger memories and be a source of comfort or inspiration.

‘Like many people, I have personal experience of dementia in my family’ and these music choices reflect these experiences.

‘Dementia stands out as a condition that carries an enormous impact but is met by a desperate lack of effective treatments, and research offers the best hope for changing this.’

Harnessing the power of music lies at the heart of Music for Dementia

Music for Dementia campaign director Grace Meadows said:

‘At the heart of Music for Dementia is a passion to harness the power of music to improve the quality of life for those living with dementia and their carers.

‘Music’s role to support health and wellbeing has come into sharp focus in recent years and we know that music can improve and enhance the quality of life for all.

‘That is why we are very excited to be joining forces with Alzheimer’s Research UK in promoting Music for Dementia.

‘This Music for Dementia partnership is a fantastic opportunity for the two organisations to come together to use our collective influence and shared commitment to broadening the way people think about dementia.

This also allows us to create positive outcomes for people living with dementia and their carers.

‘Next month we will be launching our Power of Music report, alongside UK Music to continue shining a light on the integral role of music in dementia care.’

Volunteers must either be living with dementia or be carers for someone who has been diagnosed with the disease to take part in the Music for Dementia research.

The study will run for up to three months and will be conducted fully online, allowing participants to engage from the comfort of their own homes.

“Persons living with dementia are usually capable of more than we can imagine.”

Bob DeMarco

It can be extremely rewarding to volunteer for dementia research

The director of Alzheimer’s Research UK, Tim Parry, said:

‘Without volunteers, we will not be able to make the progress in research that people with dementia and their loved ones deserve.

‘Volunteering for dementia research can be extremely rewarding and is vital for helping get important studies off the ground.’

Do you want to register your interest in the study?

Call Alzheimer’s Research UK Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5111 or go to the Join Dementia Research website to join up and register your interest in participating in the Music for Dementia studies.

Home care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

We have years of experience providing home care to many elderly people who live with dementia, so we have a lot of answers to any queries.

Call Joanne or the team for a chat to answer your questions and alleviate any fears you have.

We know the upheaval and trauma that changes in your personal life bring, but we can assure you that we are here to help.

You can contact us on 01792 588 111.