Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) is appealing for volunteer musicians to perform at an open day celebrating the powerful role music can play in dementia care.
The event will take place at Hammerton Court, a specialist unit that supports older people with dementia and organic mental disorders, at the Julian Hospital in Norwich on Thursday 12 September.
The power of music
The idea came about after weekly music sessions were introduced at Hammerton Court and had a profound impact on the patients on the ward. The sessions were led by NSFT’s Activities Coordinator Mark Rushmere and supported by volunteer pianist Heather Edwards, who lost her father to dementia 14 years ago.
Mark is a keen advocate of the use of music in caring for people with dementia and has studied music and memory, attended neuroscience seminars and even learned to play the ukulele so he can perform for service users.
He said: “The use of music within hospital settings has been largely misunderstood. It has such potential to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives – so much of my work has been based on researching the subject.
“It has a wide range of benefits. Music helps patients connect to their present, past, their loved ones and their sense of self. It brings social inclusion without asking anything in return. It’s powerful.”
‘You can see the change’
Annie Pennell, Activities Coordinator at NSFT, said: “As soon as the music starts, you can see the change. For an hour, they’re singing, dancing, smiling.
“They are still people, and they’re still in there. Sometimes, people just need a way to reach them.”
NSFT is now inviting local musicians to get involved in the open day, which is free and open to members of the public, carers, families and health professionals. They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who can play music from the 1950s and 60s.
To register your interest please email [email protected].
