Music has long been found to stimulate many parts of the brain. More recent studies have proven that music enhances the memory of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Adults in the age range of 60 to 85, who have had no previous musical experience, demonstrated improved processing speed and memory after receiving regular piano lessons and completing weekly practice sessions. I have taken an interest in this and want to explore if I can provide a service using my musical skills. I have taught music to young people for about 20 years now and have learnt a huge amount about forming relationships to build self-esteem, creativity, resilience, independence, patience, memory, coordination and, of course, fun! I want to see if my life experiences and skills can be used to enhance the lives of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in my local community. I started my journey very recently by inquiring at our local Dementia care home, St Valery’s, to ask if I can perform a musical session one afternoon for the residents. The staff at the care home were very welcoming of the idea and invited me to do my first session on Tuesday 6th August. I visited St Valery’s beforehand to meet the residents and the some of the staff and consider the space for the session. I was excited to go away after this visit and work on a selection of songs and pieces I thought would be a good place to start…

At home, I challenged myself to put a vocal set together of songs I would not usually sing; this included songs from ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘Godspell’ and ‘Oklahoma’ but also a few of my guilty pleasures from ‘The Sound of Music’! I love singing ‘Do-Re-Mi’ and have done ever since a small child when I had ‘The Sound of Music’ on constant repeat in the video player, much to my brothers’ frustration!  I also included ‘My Favourite Things’ and ‘Sixteen Going On Seventeen’. I tried to consider familiar songs that residents could sing along to if they wanted to or might perhaps be linked to a memory. I learnt a simple set of songs and surprised myself as I enjoyed the learning experience having chosen songs out of my usual style. I decided to perform a few violin pieces starting with a few singalong Irish ballads followed by a piece of Unaccompanied Bach and then a couple of peaceful pieces by Einaudi on piano. The whole preparation process itself was great for my well-being too as it allowed me to be a musician again myself; something I have missed dearly whilst pursuing my teaching career which can be all consuming!

When I arrived at St Valery’s I was a little nervous; concerned I had chosen the right set of pieces to start off this ‘therapeutic’ journey, concerned it was in general going to go down well with the residents and they would have a pleasurable afternoon… I was so pleased with the outcome. I was really emotional when I got back to the office to share my experience with Carl. I was really happy that a number of the residents wanted to sing along with me; I was immediately made to feel comfortable in their company as they joined me from the very first song (that they didn’t even know but tried to learn by following and listening). Singing was bringing joy; not to mention all the other health benefits it can bring when on a regular basis, which I have been shouting from the hilltops my whole career! This includes reducing stress levels, lowering heart rates and blood pressures, improving mood, improving breathing, reducing perceived pain and promoting communal bonding. I firmly believe in the power of music! During the sing-along session I noticed a range of responses; some residents wanted to sing, some wanted to listen and it raised a subtle smile on their face and I noticed emotional responses too. There were questions raised about the composer of Bach as residents enjoyed the sound of the violin; one of the elderly ladies commented it was the first time they had heard the sound of the violin live. Finally, the music of Einaudi was performed creating a stillness and peacefulness and I noticed a tear from a particular elderly lady who was responding to the beauty of the music. I will never cease to be amazed at how powerful music can be to our emotions and, although not relatable to this activity, to our intellect.

I am reflecting at a basic level at this early stage of my journey today but I am looking forward to a more in depth exploration of the power of music with the elderly as I carry out more music sessions at St Valery’s and hopefully at more care homes within our community in the near future. I will keep a little blog of my journey here and my development; I am very appreciate for the opportunities to play more and feel more alive myself as a musician alongside learning more about using music to connect to the elderly. Watch this space too for the formation of a community choir…