Live music 'should be essential in' all care homes

A major new report has recommended that live music should be essential in all UK care homes.

The research, led by Live Music Now and the University of Winchester, suggests that carefully delivered music can improve quality of life for older people and provide significant benefits for care staff and care settings.

Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), said: “The excellent Live Music in Care report is a big step forward in showing what live music can do. This is much more than simply entertainment. If done well, live music can help care homes achieve all the key indicators of quality person-centred provision that CQC inspectors are looking for.”

Music outreach charity, Live Music Now, and the University of Winchester worked in partnership with MHA (Methodist Homes) and The Orders of St John Care Trust to investigate the impact of music on residents, staff and the care home environment.

The project involved 11 weekly sessions of interactive music, including training for staff, in five care homes. The programme focused on singing and the use of voice, led by pairs of trained professional musicians for 45 minutes each week.

Musicians included all residents in the music sessions by walking amongst them whilst playing songs, through eye contact and physical proximity. When residents sang their own words to songs, the musicians receded, encouraging the residents to take ownership over the music and celebrate their identity.

The results showed significant impacts for everyone involved, concluding that music should be “essential” for all care homes.

The musicians' strategies appeared “extremely successful”, drawing the residents together by nurturing attachment, connectivity and sharing, whilst individuals with late stage dementia were observed to participate most during rhythm playing activities.

One care home said: “There was a really lovely sense of togetherness, attention and engagement with what was going on and a shared sense of musical connection in the room. I’ve rarely seen such a powerful shared music experience in a residential care setting.”

Care home staff also testified to a similar increase in enthusiasm, engagement and enjoyment throughout the duration of the music residency.

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: “We have known for some time that carefully delivered music activities can provide significant benefits for people who live and work in care.

“At last, this important report presents rigorous evidence showing how music can impact on whole care settings, not just on individuals. There should no longer be any excuses - live music programmes should be essential for all UK care homes. This report shows why, and what practical steps care homes can take to embrace this.”

The report makes a series of practice recommendations about choosing suitable repertoire, the appropriate use of percussion and the importance of managerial support and careful planning. More information and the report can be found here: www.livemusicincare.org.uk