Recommended for You
Other Activities
Discover the power of music videos in delivering music care for dementia
Now
Home
Alone
Friends or Family
X minutes to read
Watching a music video – whether of a musical, opera, concert, sing-along session or a favourite musical piece – can create the feeling of being at a musical event and transport you to another time or place from the comfort of your own home
Why music videos are an effective part of music care
When it’s no longer possible to attend live music events in person, being able to watch a concert online or a favourite musical film can create a sense of an event or occasion. For somebody living with dementia, it can provide a lift in mood and mental wellbeing, as well as provide meaningful cognitive stimulation and an opportunity to share a fun musical moment
How to guide
Before we start, you are...
"How to" for People Living With Dementia:
1. Getting started with Music Videos
- Make sure that you have the right device and internet connection required. Ask a family member or friend to help get you set up if you’re unsure about how to use your device
- Create a sense of occasion by inviting other people to join you. Maybe a friend or family member could come round for a special ‘online concert and a cup of tea’ afternoon!
- Get comfortable. Make sure the sound and visual quality of the film is good and set at the appropriate levels
2. During your concert or film
- Watching a concert or film together can create a moment for connection with the person you are listening with. This could be a chance to sit together and hold hands, for a conversation or to dance!
- There might be a particular concert slot that you really enjoy. Think about creating a routine around it or make it your concert date with a friend or family member
- This should always be a pleasant experience so make sure that you know how you can adjust the volume or turn it off if you no longer want to keep watching
3. Until the next showing
- Make a note of any pieces of music you enjoyed that could be included in a playlist
- If you were watching a regular programme, set up a reminder to tune in again the following week
- Make time to explore the different dementia friendly musical channels that provide online concerts and musicals, such as My Life Films and Symphony Live
"How to" for Carers:
1. Getting started with Music Videos
- Make sure that you have the right device and internet connection required
- Start with a musical conversation: find out what music matters to the person and how they liked to enjoy it. For example, did they prefer to attend concerts or watch musicals? Once you know this, research what concerts / musicals are available to view
- Think about if you can try and make it a moment in their day by creating a sense of occasion? For example, can they watch with others?
- Get comfortable – make sure the sound and visual quality of the film is good and set at the appropriate levels
2. While watching, observe, engage and notice
- Watching videos together can spark interaction through conversation, movement and gestures. It is important to observe how the person is responding so you can interact with these communications, which might be non-verbal
- Take note of the range of their expressions and responses, and how this is communicated. Look out for what music seems to interest them and what doesn’t. What seems to excite them or calm them? What encourages movement and contact?
What are you noticing?
Music has the power to transport us to other times and places. Often this can create real joy but sometimes, it can evoke unwanted memories or feelings
- 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 a song or piece of music appears to be causing distress, agitation or unhappy tears, reassure the person or group that you’re going to change or switch the video off. Remember that you can always take a break and come back to the music
- Reassure the individual by sitting near them, holding their hand or using spoken communication. This can help to create a sense of closer connection during the moment
- Remember to make space during the video with conversation, movement or sitting together in silence if that is comfortable for them. The quality of the experience you are having is more important than the length of time you are watching for together
3. Until the next showing
- Note any observations that you think would be important to share with others
- Was there a particular response to the video 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 are able to incorporate into the next live session or their playlist?
"How to" for Musicians:
1. Setting the scene with Music Videos
- Make sure that you have the right device and connection required
- Start with a musical conversation; find out what music matters to the person and how they liked to enjoy it. For example, did they prefer to attend concerts or watch musicals? Once you know this, research what concerts or musicals are available to view
- Think about if you can try and make it a moment in their day by creating a sense of occasion? For example, can they watch with others?
- Get comfortable – make sure the sound and visual quality of the film is good and set at the appropriate levels
- Set the scene. Are you able to provide a live musical introduction on your instrument?
2. While watching, observe, engage and notice
- Watching videos together can spark interaction through conversation, movement and gestures. It is important to observe how the person is responding so you can interact with these communications, which might be non-verbal
- Take note of the range of their expressions and responses, and how this is communicated. Look out for what music seems to interest them and what doesn’t. What seems to excite them or calm them? What encourages movement and contact?
What are you noticing?
Music has the power to transport us to other times and places. Often this can create real joy but sometimes, it can evoke unwanted memories or feelings
- 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 a song or piece of music appears to be causing distress, agitation or unhappy tears, reassure the person or group that you’re going to change or switch the video off. Remember that you can always take a break and come back to the music
- Reassure the individual by sitting near them, holding their hand or using spoken communication. This can help to create a sense of closer connection during the moment
- Remember to make space during the video with conversation, movement or sitting together in silence if that is comfortable for them. The quality of the experience you are having is more important than the length of time you are watching for together
3. Until the next showing
- Note any observations that you think would be important to share with others
- Was there a particular response to the video 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 the next live session or their playlist?
Discover the power of music videos in delivering music care for dementia
Now
Home
Alone
Friends or Family
5 minutes to read
Watching a music video – whether of a musical, opera, concert, sing-along session or a favourite musical piece – can create the feeling of being at a musical event and transport you to another time or place from the comfort of your own home
Why music videos are an effective part of music care
When it’s no longer possible to attend live music events in person, being able to watch a concert online or a favourite musical film can create a sense of an event or occasion. For somebody living with dementia, it can provide a lift in mood and mental wellbeing, as well as provide meaningful cognitive stimulation and an opportunity to share a fun musical moment
How to guide
Before we start, you are...
"How to" for People Living with Dementia
1. Getting started with Music Videos
- Make sure that you have the right device and internet connection required. Ask a family member or friend to help get you set up if you’re unsure about how to use your device
- Create a sense of occasion by inviting other people to join you. Maybe a friend or family member could come round for a special ‘online concert and a cup of tea’ afternoon!
- Get comfortable. Make sure the sound and visual quality of the film is good and set at the appropriate levels
2. During your concert or film
- Watching a concert or film together can create a moment for connection with the person you are listening with. This could be a chance to sit together and hold hands, for a conversation or to dance!
- There might be a particular concert slot that you really enjoy. Think about creating a routine around it or make it your concert date with a friend or family member
- This should always be a pleasant experience so make sure that you know how you can adjust the volume or turn it off if you no longer want to keep watching
3. Until the next showing
- Make a note of any pieces of music you enjoyed that could be included in a playlist
- If you were watching a regular programme, set up a reminder to tune in again the following week
- Make time to explore the different dementia friendly musical channels that provide online concerts and musicals, such as My Life Films and Symphony Live
"How to" for Carers
1. Getting started with Music Videos
- Make sure that you have the right device and internet connection required
- Start with a musical conversation: find out what music matters to the person and how they liked to enjoy it. For example, did they prefer to attend concerts or watch musicals? Once you know this, research what concerts / musicals are available to view
- Think about if you can try and make it a moment in their day by creating a sense of occasion? For example, can they watch with others?
- Get comfortable – make sure the sound and visual quality of the film is good and set at the appropriate levels
2. While watching, observe, engage and notice
- Watching videos together can spark interaction through conversation, movement and gestures. It is important to observe how the person is responding so you can interact with these communications, which might be non-verbal
- Take note of the range of their expressions and responses, and how this is communicated. Look out for what music seems to interest them and what doesn’t. What seems to excite them or calm them? What encourages movement and contact?
What are you noticing?
Music has the power to transport us to other times and places. Often this can create real joy but sometimes, it can evoke unwanted memories or feelings
- 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 a song or piece of music appears to be causing distress, agitation or unhappy tears, reassure the person or group that you’re going to change or switch the video off. Remember that you can always take a break and come back to the music
- Reassure the individual by sitting near them, holding their hand or using spoken communication. This can help to create a sense of closer connection during the moment
- Remember to make space during the video with conversation, movement or sitting together in silence if that is comfortable for them. The quality of the experience you are having is more important than the length of time you are watching for together
3. Until the next showing
- Note any observations that you think would be important to share with others
- Was there a particular response to the video 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 are able to incorporate into the next live session or their playlist?
"How to" for Musicians
1. Setting the scene with Music Videos
- Make sure that you have the right device and connection required
- Start with a musical conversation; find out what music matters to the person and how they liked to enjoy it. For example, did they prefer to attend concerts or watch musicals? Once you know this, research what concerts or musicals are available to view
- Think about if you can try and make it a moment in their day by creating a sense of occasion? For example, can they watch with others?
- Get comfortable – make sure the sound and visual quality of the film is good and set at the appropriate levels
- Set the scene. Are you able to provide a live musical introduction on your instrument?
2. While watching, observe, engage and notice
- Watching videos together can spark interaction through conversation, movement and gestures. It is important to observe how the person is responding so you can interact with these communications, which might be non-verbal
- Take note of the range of their expressions and responses, and how this is communicated. Look out for what music seems to interest them and what doesn’t. What seems to excite them or calm them? What encourages movement and contact?
What are you noticing?
Music has the power to transport us to other times and places. Often this can create real joy but sometimes, it can evoke unwanted memories or feelings
- 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 a song or piece of music appears to be causing distress, agitation or unhappy tears, reassure the person or group that you’re going to change or switch the video off. Remember that you can always take a break and come back to the music
- Reassure the individual by sitting near them, holding their hand or using spoken communication. This can help to create a sense of closer connection during the moment
- Remember to make space during the video with conversation, movement or sitting together in silence if that is comfortable for them. The quality of the experience you are having is more important than the length of time you are watching for together
3. Until the next showing
- Note any observations that you think would be important to share with others
- Was there a particular response to the video 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 the next live session or their playlist?
Resources for
Music Videos
Memory Lane TV
An interactive and multi-sensory media collection for people living with memory loss and their care partners
Visit Website
My Life Films
Creates music videos featuring images from family albums and interviews with loved ones to bring comfort and hope to people living with dementia
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
Thank you for your feedback!
< Previous Article
Previous Article Title
Next Article >
