Musical activities have been shown to improve
the cognitive abilities and memory recall of people living at 17 care homes run
by the Anchor Group.
A series of creative workshops held at Anchor
care homes in Surrey, have revealed how the innovative adoption of dance, drama
and music in care home activities can soothe and stimulate at the same time,
bring back memories from the past and help to engage underused but still active
areas of the brain.
The care home workshops, part of a six-month
trial, funded by the older people’s charity Beth Johnson Foundation (BJF),
reveals a number of benefits for people living with dementia. Staff saw the
sessions boost residents’ mental health, self-esteem and self-confidence, after
they started getting involved in drama, dance and music.
Based on the trial’s findings, a report
‘Experiences of Being’ was published by Anchor recommending the use of drama,
music and dance in care homes to help those living with dementia.
Colin Hann, executive chair of BJF said:
"Dementia is an area for more work and creative thinking and this report
shows how the arts and drama can make an important positive contribution to
those who have dementia...in the longer term let’s also work to find a
cure."
For six months, Anchor trialled the integration
of drama, music and dance workshops into its dementia care, which was attended
by 200 care home residents. The sessions saw positive changes in residents,
many of whom experienced greater movement and physical exercise through the
encouragement of dance or subtle actions using their hands or feet.
In one session, while music played, a mixture of
scarves, hats, over-sized glasses, wooden spoons and maracas were given to
residents to try on, prompting conversations among residents and some role
play.
The report stated: 'The props acted as stimuli
for the residents, with powerful and diverse reactions. The session ended with
a ‘goodbye’ song, during which the props were collected and each resident was
given a ribbon to wave or use in any way they choose to signify goodbye and
thanks.'
One 96-year-old resident with dementia had never
joined in with her care home's activities but spent all day in her room, even
eating her meals there alone. She attended a weekly one-to-one prop box
activity, using boxes of beads, pictures and other small items and engaged in
gentle hand movements set to music.
After attending, staff noticed the resident was
enjoying the sessions and “now has animated conversations about her life when
she was young – memories triggered by the items in the prop box.” The staff
said the workshop has improved her confidence and self-esteem and breaks down
the monotony of her day.
The One-hour workshop sessions were followed by
a feedback and training session for staff at the care homes who gave their own
input into how they thought the sessions could be modified.
The success of the sessions has seen
participating care homes introduce the workshops to the activities programme.
Anchor and BJF hope the results of the
'Experiences of Being' report will encourage everyone working with older people
across the UK to consider the innovative use of arts-based activities in the
homes of those living with dementia.
Jane Ashcroft, chief executive of Anchor, a
not-for-profit care provider, said: “We’re keen to embrace innovative ways to
enhance the lives of our residents and, with such positive results, this
project has been a pleasure to be part of. I hope others learn from the report
and are encouraged to introduce similar creative activities.”
Actor Linda Marlowe, who played Sylvie Carter a
character with dementia in TV soap EastEnders this year, has also welcomed the
workshops. To prepare for her acting role, she visited care home residents
living with dementia. Ms Marlowe said: “I was there for three days spending
time with the residents who had dementia to various degrees. This was
invaluable in playing my role in EastEnders. I am now committed to promoting the
use of drama and the arts to make a positive difference to help those who are
living with dementia”
SOURCE: carehome. co.uk, Angeline Albert
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