This therapy was inspired by the discovery that hearing meaningful music from their past could revive memories for patients with Dementia and other brain disorders. When exposed regularly to a personally tailored set of music tracks they became more engaged, more able to converse and generally happier and calmer. Relatives of severely withdrawn patients were delighted with the ‘return’ of their loved ones and for the chance of meaningful contact once more.
Known as Personalised Music Therapy, this new technique has been delivered to around 90 Clients throughout New Zealand providing solace for the Client and purpose for the family.
Potential Clients are interviewed (with support from family or carer) and a music playlist is created specifically for them. This is loaded onto a dementia-friendly headset which should be used for at least an hour a day for best results. Continued regular use affords a respite for Clients and Carers both in community and care home settings. As a Charitable Trust, Music for Dementia offers its services free of charge to remove any financial obstacles to the uptake of this proven and highly effective therapy.
Potential Clients are interviewed (with support from family or carer) and a music playlist is created specifically for them. This is loaded onto a dementia-friendly headset which should be used for at least an hour a day for best results. Continued regular use affords a respite for Clients and Carers both in community and care home settings. As a Charitable Trust, Music for Dementia offers its services free of charge to remove any financial obstacles to the uptake of this proven and highly effective therapy.
Benefits of Personalised Music Therapy
For Clients
Personalised Music Therapy has the potential to dramatically improve the daily lives of recipients. For some, the principal benefit may be a reduction in anxiety and agitation while for others it may be possible to regain a skill, like playing a musical instrument again.
Some will sing along to familiar tunes, others enjoy the peace that may be found in the experience of returning to a happier time through meaningful music from their past.
The music can also have the effect of re-establishing connections with family members and friends, reducing feelings of isolation and reinforcing a sense of belonging and acceptance.
For Carers
Whether in a care home setting or a private residence, caring for someone with Dementia can be challenging. Use of the headset can help encourage co-operation with regular care routines and offer a distraction during any necessary clinical interventions. Care home staff have reported a reduction in the need for anti-psychotic medication and other medicines.
The headsets also enable residents to enjoy the company of others whilst listening to 'their' music in communal areas of the facility.
In private homes, knowing that a loved one is quietly settled with their music gives the carer a respite to get on with regular tasks or even have a little time for themselves.
For Families and Friends
The families and friends of people with Dementia frequently find themselves feeling utterly helpless and at a loss as to what they can do to improve the situation.
Taking part in the process to provide music for their relative or friend can give them a sense of purpose, and witnessing the results can be heartwarming and rewarding, with the possibility of continued improvement.
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The Process
Seeking this revolutionary therapy for your loved one or friend?
First contact is made by email to info@musicfordementia.org.nz giving a few details about the person you hope to help and your telephone number. We will contact you in a timely manner to discuss how we can organise an interview and what sort of information we will need to compile a suitable playlist for the Client. At this point it is vital to involve contemporary family and friends who may remember the particular likes and dislikes of the Client's early years and the influence of their parents' musical tastes.
If appropriate, we like to meet the Client to get an idea of their musical history and general personality. This helps when trying to choose between a number of diverse versions of the same piece of music. Once the playlist has been compiled, our tech team converts it into set of tracks that are loaded onto the Alive Inside headset for delivery to the Client.
Despite the best intentions of family and friends it is impossible to predict the reaction of the Client when first trying the music, some embrace it wholeheartedly whilst others need regular short sessions to start with. Should the Client dislike the headset itself for any reason, alternative methods to deliver the music can be sought.
It is extremely rare for the music to be rejected entirely by a Client.
Once the Client has become accustomed to listening to the music, it may become apparent that some tracks are not well appreciated or that ideas for other tracks have been stimulated. We are always happy to make any necessary changes, and of course if there is a mechanical problem with the headset we should be informed immediately.
The Need
Dementia is cruel, indiscriminate and unforgiving. It comes in many forms and while its progression and severity may vary, it can have a devastating effect on families. Currently there is no cure and treatment options are limited.
In 2018, when Music for Dementia was established, it was estimated that there were around 70,000 diagnosed cases in New Zealand. Recently it is projected that by 2040 the number will have risen to 135,000. This will inevitably put an enormous strain on health services despite the fact that around 70% of those affected are cared for at home.
We believe that Personalised Music Therapy has the potential to revolutionise care in this sector by providing a powerful tool to increase awareness and engagement and evoke calm and serenity.
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How You Can Help
Volunteer
Music for Dementia relies entirely on volunteers for the day-to-day running of the charity. Some are heavily involved, others only occasionally, but all are greatly valued. Whether you are a people person or prefer to work behind the scenes, we can find a use for your skills in the challenge to bring Personalised Music Therapy to as many people as possible.
Currently, in-person involvement is restricted to the Otago Region but we hope to expand our efforts further afield as interest in the therapy grows.
If you would like to be involved in any way please contact us on Facebook or via email at info@musicfordementia.org.nz
Spread the Word
Word of mouth is perhaps the most potent way of promoting any endeavour. If you feel inspired by the prospect of helping people with Dementia through music, tell your friends and family, work colleagues - complete strangers!
Follow us on Facebook and make your own posts about the therapy. Direct people to this website and encourage them to explore the information available from the Useful Links section.
The more people who know about the therapy, the more acceptance of it will grow until it becomes standard practice. That is our goal.
Donate
Perhaps you cannot spare the time to volunteer, but you can still help us financially by making a donation to fund our work. Payments can be made by Internet Banking to:
Music for Dementia Charitable Trust, Acc. No: 02-0912-0356130-000.
Please send a reference email for a receipt to info@musicfordementia.org.nz.
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About Us
Music for Dementia was founded in October 2018 in response to the discovery that there was a new therapy available to help mitigate the effects of Alzheimers disease and other dementias and brain conditions. Although new to NZ, this therapy has been used to great effect in the US and around the world to improve the quality of life of people living with Dementia and of those who care for them.
Personalised Music Therapy builds upon the observation that music, particularly from their early years, can reignite memories and provide solace and security for people living with the complex and bewildering effects of Dementia.
While results differ widely, in some cases they can be spectacular – especially where people who have been uncommunicative for years can emerge and engage with family and friends once again.
Since its inception, Music for Dementia has provided this therapy to some 90 people, both in the community and in care homes, mostly in the Dunedin area but also as far away as Invercargill, Queenstown, Oamaru, Wellington and even Auckland .
In addition to providing headsets the charity engages in training and outreach, giving presentations to interested bodies and engaging with the public at suitable events.
Sadly the advent of the Covid pandemic severely curtailed our efforts, and the loss of key members has impaired our full recovery.
However, in the future, the Organisation hopes to expand its efforts further afield and welcomes approaches from anyone seeking to set up one of the many centres across the country needed to enable this vital therapy to become more widely available.
Get in Touch with Us
Whether you are looking to find out more, seeking music for a loved one, thinking about volunteering or just plain curious - do contact us and help raise awareness of this truly life-changing therapy!
Contact Details
Email: info@musicfordementia.org.nz
Facebook: Music for Dementia - NZ
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