The Uists recently hosted a series of successful ‘Playlist For Life’ training events, raising awareness with staff and families on the benefits of personally meaningful music for people with dementia.
‘Playlist for Life’ is a unique tool which encourages people with dementia to have access to a playlist of music of their life, to help bring back memories of youth and happy times. In fact, evidence has shown that having a playlist can reduce anxiety and stress for dementia patients and lead to a decrease in medication for some.
There were three training sessions held, aimed at staff from a variety of organisations, young people and family members. Participants were provided with the skills to develop a playlist for those they care for and shown how to update them throughout a patient’s life. The training also demonstrated how playlists can improve family social interaction, both when making and listening to them. Feedback was very positive, with the comments such as ‘I am going to make a playlist with my mother’ and ‘I can see real benefits of having a playlist’.
Marion Matheson, NHS Western Isles Health Improvement Officer, said: “The training helped participants look at the science behind why music has this effect on people with dementia, how they could make a playlist and so much more. ‘Playlist for Life’ is truly remarkable and can offer those with dementia a ‘flashback feeling’, a lifeline for those with dementia.”
Training was funded by NHS Western Isles and the Cuimhne Project Tagsa Uibhist, which has become a help point for ‘Playlist for Life’ with monies raised from the 2017 Dementia Walk purchasing 10 recording kits. Anyone interested in borrowing a kit or requiring support to make a playlist is asked to contact Jo Sinclair, The Cuimhne Project Tagsa Uibhist, email: josinclair@tagsauibhisttra