Transformative power of music soothes care home residents

Care home entertainment can often be met with helpless passivity but musician Nina Clark takes residents on a musical journey which creates "unexpected, delightful results".

In 2014, Ms Clark began singing to care home residents in the comfort of their own rooms in a bid to provide reassurance, a level of comfort, and to help them retain some of their rapidly fading memories.

And four years later, she now visits 12 care homes in and around Kent, taking residents of all ages on a reminiscent journey with her Musical Walkabout sessions.

She told carehome.co.uk: "I have always enjoyed the company of older people and feel privileged that I am able to take individual residents on a musical journey which can often create unexpected delightful results.

"Resident reactions are the fuel for my practice; people experiencing distress are calmed, uplifted or transported, or when a particularly meaningful song is discovered, the memories and emotions they bring up can be enormously cathartic for everyone involved."

The power of music

The power of music to bring about positive change in people’s moods or overall wellbeing has been heavily documented and backed by scientific research for decades, and something Ms Clark gets to witness first-hand.

She recalls: "A resident living with dementia at Hawkinge House, part of the , was inconsolable one day and despite several staff members offering kind and helpful assistance, he continued to experience distress.

"The song ‘Calendar Girl’ altered his mood immediately, and within moments he was smiling and calmly looking me in the eyes as I sang to him. The staff joined in singing, and before we knew it, the moment was transformed from challenging to joyous.

"I am constantly humbled by experiences like this, and grateful to have the opportunity to help in these small but impactful ways."

Early inspiration

Ms Clark began playing the piano and singing at the tender age of four. She learned to play the guitar at 16 and has been a professional musician since 2003.

From an early age, Ms Clark felt inspired to connect with elderly people through her passion for music.

She said: "My Nan's vascular dementia, which began with a number of Transient Ischemic Attacks, had an enormous impact on our family, with Mum quitting her job in order to care for her in the year before she entered a care home.

"Mum was very active and always researching different ways to engage with Nan, which was and still is an inspiration to me and my practice."

She added: "Growing older and living with dementia and associated medical or mental health problems bring with them the very real problem of social isolation. As a person’s world shrinks in this way, no matter how caring the atmosphere they find themselves in, certain aspects of their life experience start to fall away.

"Access to music and the arts is often one of these things, and this is particularly unfortunate, as they are proven to be so keenly tied up with people’s wellbeing and sense of self. So making connections with individuals, learning about their musical tastes and the stories that go along with these preferences is extremely important."

Musical journey

During her Musical Walkabout sessions, Ms Clark adopts an attitude of enthusiasm and sensitivity. "It is these qualities" she says "that are key to engaging residents and letting them know that each interaction is bespoke – something just for them."

Care home residents curate the musical choices from visit to visit. They can ask for requests and where memory recall of favourite songs, artists or genres is more challenging, family members, friends and staff are invited to offer suggestions.

"I’ve learnt hundreds of extraordinary songs from requests made by residents," said Ms Clark. "I get to meet some of the most interesting people around and combine my musical journey with theirs. By giving people a voice and letting them tell their story, we create new experiences together that last long after I leave.

"Every participant leaves an indelible impression on me, and certain residents have shown me new perspectives or ways of viewing life that I’ll certainly never forget."

As well as beginning a pilot of Musical Walkabout in two Kent NHS hospitals this summer, Ms Clark will be an exhibitor at this year’s Alzheimer’s Show at London Olympia, minstrelling on 8 and 9 June.

For more information on Musical Walkabout visit: www.musicalwalkabout.com or for Nina Clark's music go to: www.ninaclarkmusic.com