Senior Citizens With Dementia Find New Happiness In Life With Silent Discos At Care Home

Sep 06, 2019 by apost team

Elderly people suffering from dementia in Glasgow are finding happiness in their care homes and hospitals through "silent discos."

The elderly are being encouraged to put on headphones and take a trip down memory lane by listening to music like hits from The Beatles and traditional Scottish folk music. The music from the past brings the dementia sufferers back to normality, if only for a brief moment.

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The organizer of the idea, 52-year-old Gillian Machaffie took action after witnessing the effect of music on her 87-year-old mother-in-law. As reported by the Glasgow Evening Times, Gillian said that she was shocked to see her dancing and singing along with the music. After looking into it, Gillian said she realized that science actually backed up the premise that music is a strong force that can bring back seemingly forgotten memories, according to Dr. Ira Hyman in Psychology Today.

Each 90-minute silent disco session features approximately 20 songs designed to initiate recognition. The music may help to soothe the anxiety and other mental issues that come as a result of having dementia.

“We noticed when we held a silent disco at my mother-in-law’s care home she got up to dance and sing and it was a distraction from her anxious thoughts and confusion. She becomes more relaxed and gets swept up in the experience." Gillian told the Evening Times.

Gillian believes that this happens because music serves to open up pathways in the brain that aren't otherwise accessible. With the headphones blocking out other distractions, dementia patients are able to dig deep into the memories and achieve a sense of normalcy.

Gillian has launched the silent disco at locations such as the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, the Dykebar Hospital in Paisley, Renfrewshire, the David Cargill House, and the Dementia Café located at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Some of the most popular song selections include "Hey Jude" by The Beatles and songs by Scottish folk singer Andy Stewart.

These sweet pictures perfectly demonstrate how much older people love participating in silent discos. After you have checked out the pictures, be sure to spread the idea to other people that you know. You never know who may benefit from this inventive idea.