Here at Heaton House, we’ve been using music activities as a way to benefit our residents with Dementia for years. As we all know, music is a fantastic way to remind us of times gone by and can often prompt our memory. 

Which is why it’s such an integral part of most days here at Heaton House. We have regular music sessions that vary from live singers visiting to perform to us, to supported singalongs, to presentations from local theatre groups and choirs. We also have a  music library which is full of a huge variety of music and personal digital players for residents to use to listen to their favourite songs. 

The music was one of the reasons that attracted us to visiting the Worthing Dementia Hub recently. We were also delighted when, following our visit, they offered to come to us to run Drumdown Dementia sessions. A series of drumming sessions run by a trained session leader who encourages our residents as they drum to well-known songs on a large inflatable exercise ball with drumsticks.

The sessions allow for our residents to not only use their motor skills when hitting the drums, but to get active too as they dance in their seats. The laughter and smiles were fantastic to see; especially in residents who are usually non-verbal. 

Watch as our residents have fun drumming along to ABBA!

We can’t wait for our other Drumdown Dementia sessions! Make sure you follow the owner of Heaton House, Sally Neil-smith, on Twitter or LinkedIn to get our updates.