Live music concerts for elderly people with dementia
Music in Hospitals (MiH) will work in partnership with healthcare provider Simplyhealth to bring the joy of live music to vulnerable elderly people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia with its Memories from Music project.
The donation of £27,000 from Simplyhealth will provide 100 concerts in 2014 and 2015 which will reach approximately 2,500 elderly people in day care and residential homes in the Greater London area.
One of the main objectives of the project is to improve communication and expression of feelings, as music can have a calming effect on behaviour and wellbeing and can also evoke distant feelings and memories.
We are delighted to have formed this partnership with Simplyhealth who has so generously donated funds to make this live music project a reality for elderly people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. MiH has a particular interest in dementia and we have collaborated with Dr Nigel Marshall of Sussex University with his research into the effects of live music on elderly people with dementia. Dr Marshall attended MiH live music performances at various residential homes for the elderly. We are now looking forward to providing unforgettable live music experiences for the enjoyment and wellbeing of elderly people across England. MiH live music performances are a lifeline for many and audiences are always very appreciative of a diversion in their daily life and routine, as otherwise; they would be isolated through ill-health, disability or a loss of independence and may not have the opportunity to take part in a cultural activity.
Alzheimer’s and dementia is such a difficult condition for families to go through and we’re delighted that our donation will help to bring joy to so many people through the power of music.
Concerts will take place at a variety of day care centres and residential homes across Greater London and will be performed by small groups of professional singers and instrumentalists from a range of musical cultures.
Music in Hospitals (MiH) aims to raise much needed funds to help improve the quality of life for adults and children with all kinds of illness and disability through the joy and therapeutic benefits of live music in hospitals, hospices, day care centres, special schools, nursing and residential homes all over the UK.
For more information about Music in Hospitals visit www.musicinhospitals.org.uk or call 01932 260810.
