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Discover the power of making music together in delivering care for dementia

Future
Venue
Group
X minutes to read

Making music together in a group - whether formally or informally, as a trained professional or never having played an instrument before - is something everyone can do to help support living with dementia

‍

Why music groups are an effective part of music care

‍

‍

As a species, we have always made music together; it is a way of communicating emotions and intentions without the need for words

When we make music together, our brains release ‘feel good’ chemicals: endorphins create a sense of pleasure, and oxytocin supports social connections through engendering a sense of trust and generosity. Areas of our brain that are linked to empathy are activated, increasing our ability to understand others

Socially, music unites communities and encourages connections as people cooperate to produce a shared musical experience. Whether rehearsing or performing, the synchronisation helps to encourage behaviours linked to social cohesion and we experience positive feelings towards others in the group. Being able to pass music through generations helps to create a sense of continuity of our cultural histories and communities

These social benefits can be essential for someone living with dementia, who may feel anxious about being in group situations. Making music together can be a way of maintaining these group experiences in a safe and supported way. This is vital in enabling people to feel connected to those around them, where they are able to see their contribution in a tangible way and know that it counts

‍

Stock image of a group of people playing music
Image from The Spitz

How to guide

Before we start, you are...
"How to" for People Living With Dementia:

1. If you already play with a group: 

  • Are there any adjustments the leader can make to the sessions or rehearsals that would help you have a more enjoyable experience? This could be speaking more slowing when giving directions, printing out sheet music in a larger font, or partnering you with a buddy to support you during the rehearsals
  • If it no longer feels possible to attend your current group, is there a more dementia focused group you could be a part of? This might be a specific group set up for people with dementia. If attending in person is no longer an option, you may like to consider joining an online group. Visit our Music Can Directory to find other groups in your area and available online

2. If you would like to join a music making group:

  • Use our Music Can Directory to help you find a group in your local area
  • Talk to a family member or carer about support with attending sessions either in person or online. Lots of groups support people attending with a companion and provide a social element either before or after the session
  • If possible, speak to the group leader ahead of joining a session so you have a sense of how the group works, what to expect and so that you can explain what support would be helpful for you
  • If you’re not familiar with the music the group rehearses, try and listen to some of it before your first session so you can feel more at ease when joining the group for the first time
  • If you have a playlist, add the songs the group rehearses to so you can sing along between rehearsals 
  • Remember, playing music with others is meant to be fun. If it is no longer enjoyable for you, there are other ways to share music with people. Have a look at our activities page for other ways to enjoy music, such as playlists and music therapy

‍

"How to" for Carers:

1. If the person you are caring for already attends a group

  • Are there any adjustments the leader can make to the sessions or rehearsals that would support the individual to have a more enjoyable experience? This could be speaking more slowing when giving directions, printing out lyrics or sheet music in a larger font, or partnering them with a buddy to support them during the rehearsals
  • If it no longer feels possible to attend the current group, is there a more dementia focused group the individual could be a part of? If attending in person is no longer an option, they may like to consider joining an online group. Visit our Music Can Directory to find other groups in your area and available online
  • Is being part of the group something you can do with the person you care for? Could this be something musical you do together?

2. If the person you care for would like to attend a group

  • Use our Music Can Directory to help you find a group in your local area
  • Talk to the individual about how you can support them with attending sessions either in person or online
  • If possible, with the person you are caring for, speak with the group facilitator ahead of joining a session so you have a sense of how the group works, what to expect and you can explain what support would be helpful
  • If the person attending the group is not familiar with the music the group rehearses, try and listen to some of it before the first session so they can feel more at ease when joining the group for the first time
  • If they have a playlist, add the songs or music the group rehearses to it so you can sing along and listen together between rehearsals 
  • Remember, making music with others is meant to be fun. If it is no longer enjoyable for the individual, there are other ways to share music with people. Have a look at our activities page for other ways to enjoy music, such as playlists and music therapy
  • Think about whether the group is something you would like to join too. Many groups and services, such as Mindsong and Music 4 Memory are set up to support both the person living with dementia and their family member or carer

‍

"How to" for Musicians:

Setting up the group‍

1. Speak to people within your network to find out what they need and value

  • This could be anything from a group that meets for social support but has interactive music making at its heart to a formal music making group working towards performances
  • Consider whether the group is only for people living with dementia or if it includes carers

2. Think about who you need to start

  • Can you work with someone from a dementia network to spread the word and help you make it dementia-friendly? This may be somebody from a local community group or the host of a dementia café. They may even manage the day-to-day running of the group if you aren’t going to take on this role alongside running the sessions

3. Consider what events are already happening in the community

  • Perhaps you can join up with a day service, dementia cafe, or existing music group
  • If you want to set up a separate event, ensure that the timing doesn’t clash with existing dementia-friendly events and optimise for when people will be able to attend

4. Where will your event be located?

  • It helps if the venue is familiar to those attending, this may be a place of worship, community centre, arts venue, café or pub
  • Accessibility must be a consideration as attendees may need wheelchair access and ample parking
  • Other considerations may include: a kitchen, if serving refreshments; easily accessible bathroom facilities; and being on a bus route

‍

Considering logistics of the group

1. Teaming up with other people in the community is a great way of supporting individuals to stay connected in their local area

  • This could be businesses - a taxi service that could offer discounted rates, or a local café who could donate refreshments for people socialising after the group. It could be local volunteers - can people help with admin and promotion through local services and social media?
  • It could also be with local dementia services - could they drop into your sessions regularly to ensure their effectiveness whilst providing advice, answering questions and connecting people to other services?

2. What support may people need to attend the group?

  • Try and find out as much as you can about your group members to ensure that you’re able to provide a personalised service. Everything from whether they have a hearing impairment to their musical preferences
  • Getting to know your group will ensure that you’re making informed choices about your approach musically, socially and practically – right down to how long the group meets and how often

‍

Keeping the group running

1. Talk with members of the group about what music they’d like to make together - music is more impactful when it has been personalised

  • Share suggestions about genres and encourage members to think about music or a song they could share or teach to the group - think about how you can reflect people’s cultures and identities through musical choices
  • You could theme the music for each month, or play one familiar song or piece of music each session to provide structure
  • Think about how you can arrange the music to make it accessible for everyone. What instruments will you have available? If you use known music, will you provide a link to a playlist so they can listen / sing along to the music in between sessions? Being flexible in your musical approach is really important so that you remain responsive to people’s ever-changing needs as their dementia develops
  • Remember to keep it playful! This is all about helping people live well with dementia and enriching their experience through being together in music

2. Funding - starting local is often a good option in the first instance:

  • Consider approaching businesses who are looking to support local initiatives in their community. They may sponsor room hire and provide refreshments or support in kind
  • Local dementia focused services and charities will be able to advise on funding matters such as how and when to apply. You may also find sites online which signpost to local funding options
  • Think about speaking to local link workers and GPs about what support they can provide, and if the local NHS trust can signpost to funding options. Take a look at our Music Can Guide on ‘Social Prescribing’ for more information

‍

Discover the power of making music together in delivering care for dementia

Future
Venue
Group
5 minutes to read

Making music together in a group - whether formally or informally, as a trained professional or never having played an instrument before - is something everyone can do to help support living with dementia

‍

Why music groups are an effective part of music care

‍

‍

As a species, we have always made music together; it is a way of communicating emotions and intentions without the need for words

When we make music together, our brains release ‘feel good’ chemicals: endorphins create a sense of pleasure, and oxytocin supports social connections through engendering a sense of trust and generosity. Areas of our brain that are linked to empathy are activated, increasing our ability to understand others

Socially, music unites communities and encourages connections as people cooperate to produce a shared musical experience. Whether rehearsing or performing, the synchronisation helps to encourage behaviours linked to social cohesion and we experience positive feelings towards others in the group. Being able to pass music through generations helps to create a sense of continuity of our cultural histories and communities

These social benefits can be essential for someone living with dementia, who may feel anxious about being in group situations. Making music together can be a way of maintaining these group experiences in a safe and supported way. This is vital in enabling people to feel connected to those around them, where they are able to see their contribution in a tangible way and know that it counts

‍

Stock image of a group of people playing music
Image from The Spitz

How to guide

Before we start, you are...
"How to" for People Living with Dementia

1. If you already play with a group: 

  • Are there any adjustments the leader can make to the sessions or rehearsals that would help you have a more enjoyable experience? This could be speaking more slowing when giving directions, printing out sheet music in a larger font, or partnering you with a buddy to support you during the rehearsals
  • If it no longer feels possible to attend your current group, is there a more dementia focused group you could be a part of? This might be a specific group set up for people with dementia. If attending in person is no longer an option, you may like to consider joining an online group. Visit our Music Can Directory to find other groups in your area and available online

2. If you would like to join a music making group:

  • Use our Music Can Directory to help you find a group in your local area
  • Talk to a family member or carer about support with attending sessions either in person or online. Lots of groups support people attending with a companion and provide a social element either before or after the session
  • If possible, speak to the group leader ahead of joining a session so you have a sense of how the group works, what to expect and so that you can explain what support would be helpful for you
  • If you’re not familiar with the music the group rehearses, try and listen to some of it before your first session so you can feel more at ease when joining the group for the first time
  • If you have a playlist, add the songs the group rehearses to so you can sing along between rehearsals 
  • Remember, playing music with others is meant to be fun. If it is no longer enjoyable for you, there are other ways to share music with people. Have a look at our activities page for other ways to enjoy music, such as playlists and music therapy

‍

"How to" for Carers

1. If the person you are caring for already attends a group

  • Are there any adjustments the leader can make to the sessions or rehearsals that would support the individual to have a more enjoyable experience? This could be speaking more slowing when giving directions, printing out lyrics or sheet music in a larger font, or partnering them with a buddy to support them during the rehearsals
  • If it no longer feels possible to attend the current group, is there a more dementia focused group the individual could be a part of? If attending in person is no longer an option, they may like to consider joining an online group. Visit our Music Can Directory to find other groups in your area and available online
  • Is being part of the group something you can do with the person you care for? Could this be something musical you do together?

2. If the person you care for would like to attend a group

  • Use our Music Can Directory to help you find a group in your local area
  • Talk to the individual about how you can support them with attending sessions either in person or online
  • If possible, with the person you are caring for, speak with the group facilitator ahead of joining a session so you have a sense of how the group works, what to expect and you can explain what support would be helpful
  • If the person attending the group is not familiar with the music the group rehearses, try and listen to some of it before the first session so they can feel more at ease when joining the group for the first time
  • If they have a playlist, add the songs or music the group rehearses to it so you can sing along and listen together between rehearsals 
  • Remember, making music with others is meant to be fun. If it is no longer enjoyable for the individual, there are other ways to share music with people. Have a look at our activities page for other ways to enjoy music, such as playlists and music therapy
  • Think about whether the group is something you would like to join too. Many groups and services, such as Mindsong and Music 4 Memory are set up to support both the person living with dementia and their family member or carer

‍

"How to" for Musicians

Setting up the group‍

1. Speak to people within your network to find out what they need and value

  • This could be anything from a group that meets for social support but has interactive music making at its heart to a formal music making group working towards performances
  • Consider whether the group is only for people living with dementia or if it includes carers

2. Think about who you need to start

  • Can you work with someone from a dementia network to spread the word and help you make it dementia-friendly? This may be somebody from a local community group or the host of a dementia café. They may even manage the day-to-day running of the group if you aren’t going to take on this role alongside running the sessions

3. Consider what events are already happening in the community

  • Perhaps you can join up with a day service, dementia cafe, or existing music group
  • If you want to set up a separate event, ensure that the timing doesn’t clash with existing dementia-friendly events and optimise for when people will be able to attend

4. Where will your event be located?

  • It helps if the venue is familiar to those attending, this may be a place of worship, community centre, arts venue, café or pub
  • Accessibility must be a consideration as attendees may need wheelchair access and ample parking
  • Other considerations may include: a kitchen, if serving refreshments; easily accessible bathroom facilities; and being on a bus route

‍

Considering logistics of the group

1. Teaming up with other people in the community is a great way of supporting individuals to stay connected in their local area

  • This could be businesses - a taxi service that could offer discounted rates, or a local café who could donate refreshments for people socialising after the group. It could be local volunteers - can people help with admin and promotion through local services and social media?
  • It could also be with local dementia services - could they drop into your sessions regularly to ensure their effectiveness whilst providing advice, answering questions and connecting people to other services?

2. What support may people need to attend the group?

  • Try and find out as much as you can about your group members to ensure that you’re able to provide a personalised service. Everything from whether they have a hearing impairment to their musical preferences
  • Getting to know your group will ensure that you’re making informed choices about your approach musically, socially and practically – right down to how long the group meets and how often

‍

Keeping the group running

1. Talk with members of the group about what music they’d like to make together - music is more impactful when it has been personalised

  • Share suggestions about genres and encourage members to think about music or a song they could share or teach to the group - think about how you can reflect people’s cultures and identities through musical choices
  • You could theme the music for each month, or play one familiar song or piece of music each session to provide structure
  • Think about how you can arrange the music to make it accessible for everyone. What instruments will you have available? If you use known music, will you provide a link to a playlist so they can listen / sing along to the music in between sessions? Being flexible in your musical approach is really important so that you remain responsive to people’s ever-changing needs as their dementia develops
  • Remember to keep it playful! This is all about helping people live well with dementia and enriching their experience through being together in music

2. Funding - starting local is often a good option in the first instance:

  • Consider approaching businesses who are looking to support local initiatives in their community. They may sponsor room hire and provide refreshments or support in kind
  • Local dementia focused services and charities will be able to advise on funding matters such as how and when to apply. You may also find sites online which signpost to local funding options
  • Think about speaking to local link workers and GPs about what support they can provide, and if the local NHS trust can signpost to funding options. Take a look at our Music Can Guide on ‘Social Prescribing’ for more information

‍

Resources for

Music Group

Alzheimer's Society

Dedicated dementia support and research organisation. Operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with sister charities operating in other regions
Visit Website
Icon - Link out to external site

Intergenerational Music Making

Range of activities and training programs for older and younger people to make music together
Visit Website
Icon - Link out to external site

Mindsong

Gloucestershire charity reaching people with dementia through music by providing singing groups, courses and music therapy sessions
Visit Website
Icon - Link out to external site
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