It’s not quite Take That, it’s Take Note
Researchers from the University of Roehampton have created an innovative set of resources called Take Note to help people living with dementia.
Co-created by Dr Fi Costa and Professor Adam Ockelford, the resources come in the form of a website and cars which feature 100 music-based ideas for carers to use with dementia patients.
Image: Examples of Take Note cards.
Inspiration for the idea, which has been in development for four years, came from the findings of over 50 research studies about the relationship between music and dementia. Tunes have been known to have the power to awaken old skills, enable the learning of new ones and unlock memories.
The launch of the resources also isn’t the only bit of news. Since 2022, Take Note has been piloted by the Cinnamon Care Collection in five of their care homes in London, Hampshire and East Sussex.
Professor of music and director of the Applied Music Research Centre at the University of Roehampton, Adam Ockelford, said: ‘Having worked on a number of music projects in care homes over several years, we saw the need to help care homes provide effective music interventions for their residents.
‘There is a general understanding that music is helpful for older people, particularly those with dementia. However, relatively few care homes know what music to use or how to deliver it. That is why we are so excited to see the rollout of the Take Note resources, and how these can help the elderly and those living with dementia.’
From Tuesday 22nd October, the website will be able to be accessed at www.takenote.og.uk and it features more than 50 videos which showcase how the musical activities can work.
This includes:
- One video shows a resident being given the opportunity of playing the piano for the first time in years. It beautifully captures how the music awakened some of her old skills.
- Another video illustrates how a familiar song enabled a resident, who was just hours away from death, to sing with her son, rekindling their shared memories together.
Alongside the website, the cards are available to purchase through Amazon, Waterstone, Routledge and Abe Books – long with other leading booksellers.
Both resources will be launched at the ‘Take Note Conference’ at the University of Roehampton.
Geoff Pride, Engagement and Activities Manager at the Cinnamon Care Collection, added: ‘We are delighted to be supporting research that can assist us in improving and developing our ‘Activities and Dementia Care’.
‘We have been aware for some time as to how music and singing bring such joy to so many of our residents, create a very powerful platform for communication and enhance the atmosphere in our homes, which in turn benefits our team members through enjoyment and motivation. It seemed like a wonderful opportunity to work with the University of Roehampton to enhance our knowledge and skills in this area.’
In related news:
