Music & Dancing are beneficial

Funded by the Beth Johnson Foundation, the study found that drama, music and dance helped to engaged more underused areas of the brain as well as stimulating memories. 200 residents took part in the study across 17 care homes around Surrey. 

Dementia Patients Benefit from Drama, Music, and Dance

The report entitled ‘Experience of Being’ investigated the effects of over a six month period, providing dementia sufferers with creative activities such as music, dancing and drama.

The research was conducted in care homes run by Anchor, a not-for-profit care provider in the area. Following the study’s positive results, the homes that took part have gone on to include similar sessions in their full-time activity programs.

Results from the study also showed that dementia sufferers taking part experienced the ability to remember events from their musical activities, a positive improvement in their mental wellbeing.

Additionally, the residents also benefitted from an improvement in their cognitive ability, which led to increased confidence and self-esteem. These sessions were also found to help residents recollect the past and all three activities were proven to have a soothing and calming effect.

The positive results call for their use in more care homes across the UK. The workshops were found to stimulate dementia patients through engaging parts of their brains that were still active.

While physical and mental activities have long been believed to help slow the decline of our bodies and minds, it is promising to see these ideas being actively researched and proven. The hope is that many more care homes will implement these kinds of recommendations with regards to programs and activities for residents with dementia.

Read more about the activities we offer at Allenbrook.