It’s Carers Week, and we’re highlighting the power of live music to transform dementia-friendly spaces into vibrant hubs that help to reduce anxiety and confusion of people affected by memory loss.
Murrayfield Memory Lane Café in Edinburgh is a local group where people living with dementia and their carers meet regularly.
Jenny Rowe, Project Co-ordinator at Murrayfield Memory Lane Café explains: “I think it’s so valuable to have music accessible for groups like ours who support over 65s living with dementia, those who are frail, elderly and lonely and those who care for them.”
Many of the group’s members have difficulties communicating, but the live music is an effective way to reach and communicate with them,” Jenny adds. “We see first-hand how the music brings the group together and how people who are often quiet or non-verbal begin to move and engage with others around them. The smallest sway or foot movement to the rhythm shows us that those who perhaps show no other reaction in their face are actually responding to what they hear.”
“There are also more obvious reactions that we love to see such as those who struggle with their words now suddenly being overjoyed that they remember words to songs and have energetic responses to music playing. Those who can, always tell us how much they love having live music and how much it means to them. We’ve also had relatives come along to sessions alone when they get respite as they say they just want to relax with their friends and enjoy themselves in a break from the hard day to day life which they have.” Jenny explains.
The role of carers for people living with dementia is a crucial one. They not only help to get them to and from the group meetings, but they support with all their caring needs and act as their voice when they are unable to communicate.
Our live music is a lifeline to not only the group members living with dementia, but their carers too. It’s an opportunity for them to connect through song and share in a joyful moment that brings the entire community together.
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