Legal Experts Urge Newbury To Consider Residents With Dementia At Christmas

Ben Saunders, an expert in elderly and vulnerable client issues at Irwin Mitchell’s Newbury office, has arranged for a choir to perform at The Hollies Care Home on Friday afternoon (9/12/16) after learning that music can act as an important stimulant for the elderly and those living with dementia.

Ben, who is a Dementia Friends Champion trained by the Alzheimer’s Society to help people understand ways they can help those living with dementia, said:

Expert Opinion

“When we think of Christmas we often think of presents, family, food and drink but it’s easy to forget the members of society who are living with dementia.

“Considering music has been proven to be both soothing and stimulating and can help prompt the recall of forgotten memories, we thought a carol service would be a positive way to remember those members of our community.” Ben Saunders - Solicitor

By 2021 it is projected that there will be over 1m people living with dementia in the UK and Ben, who chairs the Newbury Dementia Friendly Community Forum (NDFCF), added:

Expert Opinion

“Music can be a powerful tool to help unlock memories and engage the brain in a way that other forms of communication seem to fail.

“With no long-term cure for dementia available it’s vital we look at alternative ways to help alleviate the symptoms being experienced by people in the community.” Ben Saunders - Solicitor

Research into the use of music in dementia care indicates that people can remain contactable through the auditory system on some level, right up until the end of life.

Even if people with dementia are unable talk, they may be able to sing, whistle, clap or tap their feet, which can add to their quality of life.

A spokesperson at The Hollies Care Home said: “Singing and music is engaging and can stimulate the brain which can bring emotional and physical closeness.  Music can shift people’s moods and also manage stress and stimulate positive interactions.”

The service, sung in four-part harmony by nine members of the Cantemus Choir, will be performed in two 30 min sections and will see the audience invited to join in any way they can with Christmas favourites including  ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Silent Night’.

The performance begins at 2pm on Friday 9th December and members from the team at Irwin Mitchell will be on hand to hand out mince pies to residents and staff at the home.

Heather Sims, from Cantemus Choir, who also is the leader of the Newbury Singing for the Brain sessions run by Alzheimer’s Society, said: “ It is wonderful to see people, who may have become rather withdrawn as a result of their illness, socialising with others and enjoying themselves.  One lady recently told me it had changed her life.  It’s amazing the pleasure music like this can bring to people.”

If you would like to learn more about the work that the Forum does in Newbury and West Berkshire, or are interested in helping to spread awareness and understanding of the challenges of living with dementia, please contact Ben Saunders on 01635 571034  or ben.saunders@irwinmitchell.com.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell’s work on dementia.