When Keith Ryan listens to his partner singing his anxiety and worries are washed away.
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Mr Ryan, a resident at Imlay House, Pambula, suffers from the affects of dementia but the sound of his partner Heather Hobart’s voice soothes him in a way that nothing else can.
Ms Hobart is well-known at Imlay House for sitting at Mr Ryan’s bedside singing love songs, but now, thanks to The Wobbles Ukulele band and the Pambula-Merimbula Lions Club, Mr Ryan will be able to listen to Heather’s singing at any time of day as part of the Music Evokes Memories (MEM) project.
Founded by Adeline Perrett, MEM has raised money for and donated six iPods and headphones to residents with dementia at Imlay House and Albert Moore Gardens (Bimbimbie).
The iPods have been individually loaded with music specific to the tastes of the resident in an attempt to bring comfort in times of stress.
MEM followed the same principle as the US based program called Music and Memory which also focuses on creating personalised playlists on iPods and playing this music to people who have chronic cognitive and physical impairment, including those with dementia.
The results of this program have been outstanding, and as suggested by Dr Maggie Haertsch, CEO of the Arts Health Institute, “the music awakens a part of the brain not impacted by dementia and evokes responses, such as singing and movement, and brief moments of reconnection with loved ones.”
Ms Perrett said she hopes MEM will project help local residents with dementia see the same results.
A small but enthusiastic crowd gathered for the MEM project launch at Imlay House on Friday, April 28, where the iPods were officially handed out.
Imlay House resident Anne McDonald was all smiles when she was given the opportunity to try out one of the iPods. Despite the iPod being intended for someone else, with all the songs in German, it was evident immediately the affect music had on Ms McDonald’s mood.
“She wouldn’t have understood any of the lyrics but she was smiling and tapping her foot, it’s clear that this program is going to be a great initiative,” Imlay House diversional therapist Sheridan Leftwich said.
Recreation activities officer at Bimbimbie Sharon Hampton said she was hoping the program would help bring back memories and different emotions for those in the later stages of dementia.
“I think this project is fantastic,” she said. “I have found that music is something that residents with dementia respond to the most, it soothes them, it brings back memories and can provide them with comfort and joy.”
Ms Perrett is hoping MEM will grow and expand with more iPods being donated to other residents around the Sapphire Coast but to make this happen they need more money and more support.
To donate money, or iPods, contact Ms Perrett on 0418 200 161 or The Wobbles founder Michael Maxworth on 0472 699 444.