Case studies
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All names have been changed
Edna's story
Edna was angry. She was taking a long time to put on her cardigan and staff were becoming impatient. She lost her temper and started shouting, becoming very angry and the situation got out of control. I knew she loved singing, particularly songs from her church days, so I sang Kumbaya very gently to her. She gradually swayed to the song, then smiled and started to sing too. The cardigan was forgotten and the tension disappeared.
Ethel's story
Ethel, who had dementia and was also diabetic, was in a diabetic slumber and was not responding to the duty nurse who was trying to encourage her to eat. The nurse came to ask me if I could help with music. I knew that Ethel used to go to her local pub once a week with her family and friends and sing those cockney songs, so I started by singing some catchy tunes that she would know, she instantly opened her eyes, smiled and joined in with Roll out the barrel and started doing some physical actions (which I didn’t know existed!). Both the nurse and I were amazed!
Edward's story
Edward was a retired vicar and classics scholar from Oxford. He had recently moved into the home and was confused and isolated by his deafness. He found communication very difficult and rarely spoke. The staff were worried about him. He had been used to being around many people and socialising. I encouraged him to come along to the group music session by writing on a notepad. I wasn’t sure if he would be able to hear the music and if it would be to his taste. I sang some hymns and some classical pieces he might known (Wings of a Dove, Morning has broken). He smiled and joined in the percussion and swaying during the dancing numbers. At the end of the session, unprompted he spoke to me and said “You shine a light into dark places.”
George's story
George was in a wheelchair, although staff felt sure he could walk. He had been depressed for months and was demotivated. He had come to several group music sessions and after about 4 months, with encouragement, he tried to to start to walk. He gradually grew in confidence and continued to walk on his own from then on, saving care staff a significant amount of time. He now only needed one carer and a hoist was no longer needed.
​Jane's story
Jane was feeling cross when I arrived with my keyboard. Although she was sitting waiting for the music to begin, she responded aggressively to any song we did, and swore. When offered the opportunity to leave she refuse and started shouting. Jane used to play the piano and I knew she liked Beethoven’s 9th symphony, so I started to sing the melody, then played it on the piano. She smiled and joined in. For the rest of the group session, she smiled and happily joined in with everything we did, even getting up to dance.
Michael's story
While singing “Blow the wind southerly”, Michael, who never speaks and shows no sign that he is aware of other people, started to murmur something. A carer said was saying that his mother used to sing it to him. Several weeks went by, when I didn’t see him. Then, the next time he came to the music group, I sang the song again, just for him. He made no particular reaction and I thought I had been mistaken, but as I was packing up to leave, Michael approached me, deliberately and very slowly, reached out and gave me a hug. He patted my back, and when he let go, he very slowly gave me a kiss on the cheek. This was an extraordinary moment of connection from him.
Hayley's story - Activities Co-ordinator, Puddingstone Grange
Eleanor has been providing music therapy sessions in Puddingstone Grange care home located in the Royal Borough of Greenwich for just over two years, predominantly in the Dementia suite.
Puddingstone Grange is managed by Avante care and Support. The philosophy of care is Eden.
As an Activities Co-ordinator working at Puddingstone Grange I have supported Eleanor with singing. I have noticed the remarkable difference in engagement from the residents during the sessions. Their ability to remember the words of the songs has been remarkable. The level in which the sessions is pitched is beneficial to all residents with various needs, cognitive abilities and at different stages in their dementia journey.
The session is incredibly interactive with musical instruments, dancing, song requests from the residents themselves and of course, Eleanor playing live music. All are encouraged to participate, staff and loved ones.
As the sessions developed and I noticed the remarkable change within the care setting for the duration of the sessions, I began to consider if I could, perhaps introduce regular music sessions into the weekly activities planning.
It was through the suggestion of a resident here, to set up a Puddingstone Grange choir that this came about. As it stands today, we have had two performances on a Saturday and regularly sing. The songs we sing are familiar to the residents, partly because Eleanor has sung some of these but also because I researched what songs they may know.
We were luckily enough to have a keyboard donated and through the performances I have learnt, that two residents can play. This has been witnessed by their loved ones and provided a lovely moment for all.
The influence of the sessions, has in my mind, left no doubt that music somehow opens up channels and encourages cognitive abilities.
It has allowed me to enhance my work in my role as an Activities Co-ordinator.
​Fred's story
Fred is a guitarist and a massive Beatles fan. He absolutely lit up when talking about them, and it brought tears to his eyes. I asked him to bring his guitar to a session and we jammed together to ‘Let it be’ together and everyone in the group joined in including the care staff team. It was very moving. He told me he had written a song called Judgement Day. As he played it, I wrote down the words and the key chords and the following week we performed it together for the group. This gave Fred a huge feeling of achievement and he was applauded by everyone.
Jill's story
I was asked to go and sing to Geoff who was at end of life. His wife was sitting by his bedside so I asked if she wished me to stay. She said yes and I asked if there was a song or singer who Geoff liked. She said he used to love Nat King Cole. I sat and gently sang to him, When I fall in Love while holding his hand. Although he wasn’t able to respond, it was Jill who was very moved and in that moment and space it felt like the song was able to connect them together, remember a happy time and reaffirm their relationship.
74% of adults say that music is important to them and their quality of life
UK Music This is Music report
Through regular singing, depression levels can be reduced by 40% in care settings.
National Library of Medicine, 2022
Music therapy reduces agitation and the need for medication in 67% of people with dementia.
Creative Health Report, 2019