The beginning of 2020 saw the launch of a new music initiative at Woodlands Care Centre called ‘Making Music’ where, in partnership with Chiltern Music Therapy, an award-winning Community Interest Company, music therapy services were provided to residents in small groups.
These specific Dementia and Alzheimer music therapy sessions focused on a number of goals, as set out on their website “Music Therapy goals work on maintaining communicative, physical and cognitive skills as well as providing essential therapeutic support for residents and their families in emotional well-being and reducing anxiety.”
Music Therapy Sessions at Woodlands Care Centre
With the assistance from the care home’s Activity Team, ‘Making Music’ group sessions led by Kate, the Therapy Facilitator, were available for groups of up to 6 residents and were tailored closely to the residents’ individual needs and abilities.
The weekly sessions were a great way to start the week. Their frequency meant that it gave an opportunity for a large cross section of residents to benefit from the group sessions. Different musical instruments and a collection of residents’ favourite songs all contributed to sessions filled with joy and laughter.
John Holmes, Woodlands Activities Manager commented on the positive impact the regular sessions have had, “These sessions proved to be very popular with our residents. We are looking forward to reinstating these fun, engaging and, at times, quite hilarious moments of magic after Covid-19, especially as we noted how uplifted our residents’ spirits were once their sessions finished.”
Although the music therapy sessions are temporarily paused due to Covid-19; music remains the heartbeat of the home with staff keeping residents entertained with their own instruments, singalongs and joie de vivre.
