News

Music therapy improving lives for people with dementia

Wed, 01 May 2019 06:43:00

Australian Government research has highlighted the potential of musical reminiscence therapy in reducing negative symptoms and improving the lives of older Australians living with dementia.

Mallee Track Health and Community Service (MTHCS) has been funded to deliver the Silver Memories radio service at Pattinson House, Ouyen, and the flexibed facilities at Sea Lake and Ouyen.
MTHCS Chief Executive Officer Lois O’Callaghan said the radio service was streamed by satellite into aged care residents’ rooms and was available 24 hours a day via their televisions.
“The health service applied for a Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal Grant to have Silver Memories installed at Pattinson House, Canon TD Martin Nursing Home in Ouyen and Kaleesa Nursing Home in Sea Lake.
“The grant included free of charge installation and 12 months access,” she added.
Ms O’Callaghan said Silver Memories was installed through existing television antennae.
She said a 12-month study of the program involving 17 aged care residents from Queensland showed significant positive impacts including improved quality of life, decreased geriatric depression and reduced aggressive behaviour.

The radio service provides staff with a resource to use in the residential facilities to soothe and comfort residents, especially those with dementia.
Announcements on special occasions can be requested such as birthday requests. Residents are thrilled to hear a request for them on the radio.

The radio service provides a program of cheerful and gentle music from the 1920s to the early 1960s, cheerio greetings and old radio serials and comedies that people listened to before the advent of television.
Silver Memories was developed by Music Broadcasting Society of Queensland Ltd and is designed specifically to address social isolation and depression in Aged Care.
Ms O’Callaghan said the radio service had been researched by the government to assess its use in providing comfort and improved quality of life for people with dementia.
“There were demonstrated and sometimes profound effects of music in helping manage dementia among the 74 residents across Australia who took part in the trial.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the care of our residents and to find new therapies and activities,” she added.
Ms O’Callaghan said Dementia was one of a group of diseases that progressively affected the brain, compromising thought processes, behaviour, memory and the ability to perform everyday tasks.
“Our staff have undergone additional training to provide increased support for residents with dementia and Silver Memories is another therapy tool.
More than 436,000 people are currently living with dementia in Australia, and around 250 Australians develop dementia every day.

Pictured: : Arnold Franklin on a visit to his family farm recently during a social support group outing