Charity launches £26,000 music therapy bid for Swindon care homes

 

A charity which provides care, housing and support for older people has launched £26,000 bid to fund music therapy for residents living with dementia at its Fitzwarren House care home in Swindon.

The Swindon appeal is part of a national campaign by charity, MHA, to spread the use of this pioneering treatment.

Using Music Therapy, specially trained music therapists can regulate residents’ emotions to alleviate symptoms. Music Therapy is becoming increasingly important as it can modify a patient’s behaviour by significantly alleviating agitation and even reduce a patient’s reliance on drugs.

Music therapist Laura Bolton, who works at Fitzwarren House said:“As dementia progresses and the ability to comprehend and use language often declines, sometimes music is one of the only things left that people can respond to and understand. This is due to the way that music is represented in our brains. The sessions I provide are aimed at supporting people according to their own specific needs.

“Individual sessions can be particularly helpful when people are limited in their interactions with others, possibly due to mobility issues, impaired communication skills or have other unwanted symptoms of dementia such as anxiety and depression. With increased funding we would be able to reach more people living with dementia, for longer periods.”

MHA is one of the largest employers of music therapists specialising in dementia in the UK, with a team of 19.  It is has been pioneering the treatment since 2008 and currently helps 450 residents a year who are living with dementia.  MHA has over 1,900 specialist dementia places in its care homes and wants to provide Music Therapy for all of them.

Local people are being urged to support the campaign either with direct donations or through organising fundraising events or activities. Zoe Steer, Community Fundraising Manager for the West says; “We really hope that the people of Swindon will get behind this appeal as Music Therapy makes such a huge difference to people living with dementia. There are lots of ways people can fundraise for us, they could hold one of our Best Tea Party for Ages, join a local event we organise or do something themselves. The money people raise will help us ensure residents living with dementia at our care homes can benefit from Music Therapy.”

To find out how you can fundraise for the Music Therapy Appeal go to www.bestforages.com/swmusictherapy