Music makes patients in East Surrey hospital happy

As part of our effort to raise awareness during dementia awareness week, The Good Care Group and Home Instead, brought a signing session to the elderly patients at East Surrey Hospital.

For dementia awareness week, The Good Care Group and Home Instead Reigate, who set up Musical Memories, provided music for patients on the Care of the Elderly Wards at East Surrey Hospital.

Songs from musicals, all-time classics like ‘over the rainbow’ and ‘it’s a long way to Tipperary’ were sung by patients and staff. Laughter and smiles lifted the mood along with tears of joy.

It was an emotional experience to watch patients with dementia who would start to sing a song, resonating happy memories and remembering every word. An absolutely brilliant experience to see the person behind the condition.

Music has been proven to be an effective tool for people, especially with dementia. It seems to reach parts of the brain in ways other forms of communication cannot. Music evokes emotions that bring memories and can shift a person’s mood.

Both organisations have a passion for ensuring individuals live well with dementia. The Good Care Group and HomeInstead Reigate provide two singing services in Oxted and Lingfield, called Musical Memories, a community project that has already received a wonderful response.

Chris O’Connor, Lead Dementia Nurse for East Surrey Hospital said:

‘Many thanks for the time yesterday, the sessions went really well with many of the staff, patients and visitors commenting on how the sessions really lifted the spirits on the ward and the feeling of wellbeing generated lasted well after the music had finished. Did I tell you that we did have some requests for some more modern songs by Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Pharrell Williams?!’

The Good Care Group are more than honoured to work alongside HomeInstead, another highly respected independent UK home care provider, and East Surrey Hospital to create such a significant event. We hope to continue our services in the local community, and invite others to join us at our two local singing services, or our monthly Memory Cafe in Caterham.

For more information on these events,

please contact Michelle Elliott – 07872 506709

e: michelle.elliott@thegoodcaregroup.com

or Helen Brown – 01737 529 793

e: Helen.brown@homeinstead.co.uk