Press Release
Creating musical experiences for people with dementia, co-designed with people living with dementia.
“They make the individual feel like they have achieved something. They may have forgotten how to play the musical instrument that has been so dear in their life but this product has enabled residents to make music again.” Sheffcare
No musical experience or training needed, physically interactive, creative, social and fun. The Music Project, with funding from Alzheimer’s Society’s Accelerator Programme, has put people with dementia at the centre of the development of exciting musical instruments.
Tom Maisey, a musician and designer, has been working in this area for over 10 years. During that time, he identified a shortage of accessible, fun and creative products that would enable people in later life, people living with dementia and with cognitive and dexterity impairment, to be musically creative, playful, promote socialisation and bring quality, meaningful activities to care home settings.
Project partner, the charity, Sheffcare agrees; “I think the benefits are the people who use them don’t need any musical training or background, or any musical talent of any kind. They are something anyone can use regardless of ability and achieve a great result.”
The Alzheimer’s Society reports that, ‘there are currently 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040. The scale and the need to prevent, diagnose, support, live and die well with dementia will only become greater.’¹
Tom’s emphasis and motivation is around helping those with dementia, live well. Through his work, Tom identified that poor design causes a lack of dignity for the end user of products. The Alzheimer’s Society Accelerator Programme enabled Tom to approach the design holistically with people with dementia, front-line care home workers, care home leadership and families of people living with dementia. Working closely with the sector, this human-centred approach resulted in ergonomically designed, easy to handle and to control devices that promote collaboration, group activity and interaction.
But why is this important? The NHS tells us that ‘Music can have many benefits in the setting of dementia. It can help reduce anxiety and depression, help maintain speech and language, is helpful at the end of life, enhances quality of life and has a positive impact on carers.’2
Quality of life for people with dementia is a social responsibility and working with project partner Sheffcare, enabled Tom to put residents at the centre of product development. Sheffcare told Tom that, “For an individual living with dementia, feeling of worth in that moment helps their mental wellbeing and has a domino effect in the home for carers and fellow residents, to have this available on a day-to-day basis will be amazing.”
Annie Thirwell-Hicks