The psychological benefits of music

• Video Description

  Music brings a plethora of benefits to older people suffering from cognitive decline. This video gives an overview of many of the ways that the Take Note project involves music in the lives of care home residents.

  This was filmed at Cinnamon Group care homes: Rectory Court, Mornington Court, Leah Lodge and Eden Court as well as Raleigh House in New Malden.

• Strategies

  • Encourage residents to listen to music they enjoy to enhance their sense of well-being

  • Use music to support residents’ autonomy, encouraging them to choose pieces of music to listen to or sing

  • Use active music-making to give residents a feeling of competence; singing or playing music may be one of the few ‘can do’ areas in their lives

  • Use music to support relationship-building; music sessions may be one of the few times when positive interaction with others occurs

  • Use music to promote fitness and exercise, even in those with limited mobility