Using Music In Dementia Care For the last decade, Orchestra of the Swan has been delivering a programme of live performance workshops to help tackle this condition. Report by George Hall
Trained and advised by specialist music therapists, musicians are increasingly engaging with the challenge and privilege of providing therapeutic treatment for those living with dementia. One leading UK ensemble engaged in this work for more than a decade now is Orchestra of the Swan. Founded in 1995 in the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon it is internationally admired for its recordings, tours and its commitment to new music. Currently 22 of the orchestra’s 32 core members are involved with this branch of its regular activity. One of these is Louise Braithwaite (associated with the orchestra for 15 years and now its principal cor anglais and co-principal oboist), who from 2006 to 2016 also managed the orchestra’s learning and
participation programme. Louise explains how the orchestra’s work in care homes began. “About ten years ago we received funding to operate a rural series in Warwickshire,” she says. “Part of that application was to try to reach groups that might not attend local concerts. Access to transport in rural areas is often a barrier, and one also associated with an ageing population.” Sweet spot The orchestra contacted day centres and activity clubs for older people to see if anyone would welcome free live music. “We got a good uptake, so we started sending out a string quartet to do programmes of light classical and tea-dance-style music. Initially we didn’t always get the repertoire quite right, but the clients were happy to tell us what they’d like. Eventually we found a sweet spot that worked for them and was good for us.” Following the Warwickshire experience the orchestra put in a bid to work in east Birmingham – an area with significant social and economic challenges for residents where
“Care staff say that what we do is making a difference after we’ve gone.” Louise Braithwaite The Musician • Autumn 2019
© Jessica Raphael Photography; © Godfrey Pitt
Dementia is a term with which we have all become sadly familiar over recent decades. Not a single disease, but rather a range of conditions, it is something directly experienced by roughly 10% of the world’s population, while countless others are affected by its impact. Though currently 32 incurable, various therapies are known to be helpful to those living with the condition. One of these is therapeutic music, which has proved highly beneficial to those lucky enough to encounter it.
Louise Braithwaite (below) is central to Orchestra of the Swan’s therapeutic music sessions in care homes.
day centres offered a meal to isolated elderly people. “We sent out duos – including violin and cello, or flute and harp – to create a series of up to six visits in different centres of maybe 60 or 90 minutes each.” What did Louise and her fellow musicians encounter? “People living with dementia at different stages, as well as those who have developed dementia as part of other conditions: family or staff members are often able to support us in communicating with that person. “I always ask the care staff, ‘Who’s with you today? Is there anyone who would particularly benefit from our music?’” explains Louise. “You can’t know how that person is going to respond – it can be incredibly powerful.”
