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Discover the power of live events in delivering music care for dementia

Future

Venue

Group

X minutes to read

There is nothing quite like the thrill of live music. From musicals to operas, jazz to classical, and everything in between, experiencing live musical performances can enhance health and wellbeing and help you connect with the music you love in the moment

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Why live events are an effective part of dementia care

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Being able to attend live concerts – whether that’s in a music, community, arts, faith-based or other venue – can be a powerful way to connect with your community, experience something you enjoy, and re-reconnect you to yourself. For somebody living with dementia, being able to socialise musically can provide a real lift in mood, provide a special moment in the week and create an opportunity for a shared experience with others

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Image from The Spitz

How to guide

Before we start, you are...

"How to" for People Living With Dementia:

1. Before the Live Event

Plan the event – what music do you like seeing performed live? It doesn't have to be at a music venue, it could be a choir performing at a church service, a relaxed concert or an open orchestral rehearsal
Build it into the plan for the week, what timing works best. How much preparation do you need? What might support you during the journey there and back?
If you aren’t familiar with the venue, ask the person accompanying you to clearly explain to you anything you might need to know about it

2. During the performance

The performance should be a fun experience! Know that you can always leave the performance if you are not enjoying it for any reason

3. After the event

Were there any particular songs that you enjoyed and can incorporate into a playlist? If you’re working with a musician or music therapist, can you build the song into your sessions with them?

‍

"How to" for Carers:

1. Before the Live Event

Choose an event ensuring that it is something the individual would like to see
Consider what support is available should you need it on the day. If the person wears a hearing device, do any adjustments need to be made?
Build it into the plan for the week. This could be talking about it, adding it to the calendar and playing music that you might hear during the concert
Consider how you can make the experience special. What did the individual used to do before they went to concerts – did they like to walk around the venue beforehand, or have a meal?
Think about the journey to and from the venue, what do you need for a smooth trip? You may want to consider transport in advance, build in extra time to travel, and have information and images available for where you’re going and who you’re seeing so you can use this as a reference for conversation
During the journey, you can help with reducing anxiety and building excitement by playing some of the music that you’re expecting to hear

2. During the performance

Speak to staff before the performance if you feel you may have to take a comfort break part way through. Make them aware that you are with someone living with dementia so they can assist appropriately with lighting and directions
Know that any response to the music, both positive and negative, is a key aspect of self-expression. It is important that you try and understand the feeling behind the expression; for example, tears could indicate either a negative response, or joy
If the performance appears to be causing distress, agitation or unhappy tears, make your way to another space within the venue where you can reassure the individual and decide whether they would like to go back to the performance or not

3. After the event

Note down any observations that you think would be important to share with others
Was there a particular response to the performance or any comments the person made about their experience? Think about what worked, what didn’t and what you might do differently next time
Were there particular songs or pieces that you can incorporate into their playlist?

‍

"How to" for Musicians:

1. Before the Live Event

Talk to your group / team about how you can make your performance dementia-friendly. This may involve lighting, considering the length of the performance, working with comments from the audience or talking with the venue team about how to support people with dementia and their carers to feel as comfortable as possible
This is an opportunity to collaborate with different teams to make it an inclusive event. Use resources such as the ‘Dementia-friendly arts and culture guide’ or this Family Arts guide to ensure you’re creating an event everyone can enjoy
Dementia friendly performances should be the same performance experienced by all other audiences but with a few slight adaptations - it should not feel compromised musically, stylistically or technically
Are you able to promote your event as a dementia friendly performance? Think about working with local dementia organisations who can share information about your event through their networks

2. During the performance

If it’s appropriate, acknowledge at or near the beginning of your performance that it is a dementia friendly performance and all are welcome
Invite people to be understanding if someone shouts out or needs to leave during a song or a piece. Remind the audience there is support on hand if this is needed
Be ready to improvise. If an audience member gets up to sing along or begins clapping midway through a song or piece, are you able to acknowledge this musically in some way?

3. After the event

Talk with your group about what worked well and what could be refined for next time in helping to make the performance more dementia friendly? Was there any feedback from the audience and venue team you can incorporate?
Think about what you enjoyed about it being a dementia friendly performance? Did it make you think differently about how you communicated with your music, your presence on stage or how the performance was structured?
If this is a new approach to performing and you’d like more information about making events and performances relaxed and dementia friendly, speak to organisations such as Manchester Camerata, Live Music Now, and London Symphony Orchestra

‍

Discover the power of live events in delivering music care for dementia

Future

Venue

Group

5 minutes to read

‍

Why live events are an effective part of dementia care

‍

Image from The Spitz

How to guide

Before we start, you are...

"How to" for People Living with Dementia

1. Before the Live Event

Plan the event – what music do you like seeing performed live? It doesn't have to be at a music venue, it could be a choir performing at a church service, a relaxed concert or an open orchestral rehearsal
Build it into the plan for the week, what timing works best. How much preparation do you need? What might support you during the journey there and back?
If you aren’t familiar with the venue, ask the person accompanying you to clearly explain to you anything you might need to know about it

2. During the performance

The performance should be a fun experience! Know that you can always leave the performance if you are not enjoying it for any reason

3. After the event

Were there any particular songs that you enjoyed and can incorporate into a playlist? If you’re working with a musician or music therapist, can you build the song into your sessions with them?

‍

"How to" for Carers

1. Before the Live Event

Choose an event ensuring that it is something the individual would like to see
Consider what support is available should you need it on the day. If the person wears a hearing device, do any adjustments need to be made?
Build it into the plan for the week. This could be talking about it, adding it to the calendar and playing music that you might hear during the concert
Consider how you can make the experience special. What did the individual used to do before they went to concerts – did they like to walk around the venue beforehand, or have a meal?
Think about the journey to and from the venue, what do you need for a smooth trip? You may want to consider transport in advance, build in extra time to travel, and have information and images available for where you’re going and who you’re seeing so you can use this as a reference for conversation
During the journey, you can help with reducing anxiety and building excitement by playing some of the music that you’re expecting to hear

2. During the performance

Speak to staff before the performance if you feel you may have to take a comfort break part way through. Make them aware that you are with someone living with dementia so they can assist appropriately with lighting and directions
Know that any response to the music, both positive and negative, is a key aspect of self-expression. It is important that you try and understand the feeling behind the expression; for example, tears could indicate either a negative response, or joy
If the performance appears to be causing distress, agitation or unhappy tears, make your way to another space within the venue where you can reassure the individual and decide whether they would like to go back to the performance or not

3. After the event

Note down any observations that you think would be important to share with others
Was there a particular response to the performance or any comments the person made about their experience? Think about what worked, what didn’t and what you might do differently next time
Were there particular songs or pieces that you can incorporate into their playlist?

‍

"How to" for Musicians

1. Before the Live Event

Talk to your group / team about how you can make your performance dementia-friendly. This may involve lighting, considering the length of the performance, working with comments from the audience or talking with the venue team about how to support people with dementia and their carers to feel as comfortable as possible
This is an opportunity to collaborate with different teams to make it an inclusive event. Use resources such as the ‘Dementia-friendly arts and culture guide’ or this Family Arts guide to ensure you’re creating an event everyone can enjoy
Dementia friendly performances should be the same performance experienced by all other audiences but with a few slight adaptations - it should not feel compromised musically, stylistically or technically
Are you able to promote your event as a dementia friendly performance? Think about working with local dementia organisations who can share information about your event through their networks

2. During the performance

If it’s appropriate, acknowledge at or near the beginning of your performance that it is a dementia friendly performance and all are welcome
Invite people to be understanding if someone shouts out or needs to leave during a song or a piece. Remind the audience there is support on hand if this is needed
Be ready to improvise. If an audience member gets up to sing along or begins clapping midway through a song or piece, are you able to acknowledge this musically in some way?

3. After the event

Talk with your group about what worked well and what could be refined for next time in helping to make the performance more dementia friendly? Was there any feedback from the audience and venue team you can incorporate?
Think about what you enjoyed about it being a dementia friendly performance? Did it make you think differently about how you communicated with your music, your presence on stage or how the performance was structured?
If this is a new approach to performing and you’d like more information about making events and performances relaxed and dementia friendly, speak to organisations such as Manchester Camerata, Live Music Now, and London Symphony Orchestra

‍

Resources for

Live Music

Live Music Now

World-class musicians create interactive live music sessions that meaningfully enhance health and well-being, across England, Wales, Northern Ireland & Scotland

Visit Website

Symphony Live

A service allowing users to watch exclusive classical music concerts, behind-the-scenes, documentaries & performances from the world's finest orchestras

Visit Website

Orchestras Live

Provider of range of orchestra performances, including for the dementia community

Visit Website

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