Music for Dementia 2020 is campaigning to make music free for people living with dementia by 2020. Led by The Utley Foundation, the campaign is a direct and positive response to the Commission into Dementia and Music report What would life be – without a song and dance, what are we?.
To ensure every person living with dementia has access to music, the campaign is taking the lead by creating a taskforce of stakeholders from across the music and dementia fields to embed music into dementia care pathways.
The campaign has a clear vision that by 2020 we want to:
- Have the support of the music, social, health, and care sectors in making music readily available for people living with dementia.
- Create a collective understanding across society that music is a necessity for people living with dementia and they need access to it now.
Find out more at https://www.musicfordementia2020.com
Music is a powerful connector and has the ability to bring people together in the here and now. It can enliven, stimulate and enable people living with dementia to express themselves creatively through musical engagement.
Research has shown and lived experiences demonstrate that music has the ability to help reduce the often-distressing symptoms of dementia, such as agitation, apathy and anxiety.
Music supports people living with dementia to communicate beyond words, helping them to connect with others. It supports emotional health and wellbeing, particularly at a time when emotions can be overwhelming or difficult to process or manage. It has a valuable role to play in enhancing quality of life and supporting carers in their vital roles.
When delivered effectively, music provides a way to be with and stay connected with loved ones and carers through shared experiences.
