Music For David helping carers and clients

6 December 2017

Uniting AgeWell’s Music For David program supports people with dementia and their carers.

Carer Respite Services Manager at Uniting AgeWell, Dee Parfrey, said the program provided MP3 players that were programmed with music selections tailored to the person with dementia.  She said the music therapy program had returned great results.

“Some people who have dementia exhibit restlessness, agitation or anxiety and the music we provide really settles them,” she said.

“It reduces shadowing, in which people with dementia follow their carers closely, and it gives the carers a break from having to be constantly vigilant.”

The program is based on research that found music could provide pleasure and meaningful activity for people living with dementia. 

Dee said the playlists were carefully selected based on the client’s interests and behaviours, to ensure they got the best out of the program. 

“Our Music Therapist works with the client and family to determine the most appropriate playlist,” she said.

“We find people respond best to music they would have heard in their 20s and 30s.  So we research music from up to 70 years ago and download it for them.”

New headphones with in-built MP3 players are now being used as part of the program to ensure ease of use.  Each client is also given access to a $30 iTunes card to download appropriate music.

For more information on Uniting AgeWell’s Carer Respite Services, call 9089 1900.