Skip to main content

THE MAGIC OF DRUMMING AND DEMENTIA IN AUSTRALIA

DRUMMING WITH DEMENTIA-SOUND SYNERGY
Drumming for the Elderly/Dementia The development of Drumming Circles for the elderly is a new phenomenon that is being researched and developed in forward thinking Aged Care Organisations, via Sound Synergy Drumming Company. The sessions provide some major health benefits as well as providing an opportunity for fun, social interaction, improving the lives of all who participate. Nursing homes have reported seeing higher energy levels, behavioral improvements and a boost in morale since drumming became part of the routine. Music therapists have long used music to connect people, especially the elderly. Unlike speech, music is processed in multiple areas of the brain. The limbic system is activated by the emotional response to music, while the elements of music, such as rhythm, pitch and melody, activate other areas of the brain. Elderly people suffering from late stages of dementia often show responses to music, including vocal activity, increased eye contact, changes in facial expression and physical movement. Drumming provides a welcome diversion, inspires creativity and helps long term care residents bond together. It brings an immediate reduction in feelings of loneliness and isolation. The physical exercise is also extremely beneficial, especially to the upper body. Drums can be strapped to wheelchairs and there are numerous percussion instruments that are suited to virtually anyone who wants to join in the rhythm. The staffs of old age/nursing homes are also equally enthusiastic about the unique activity as it allows them to also engage and join in, relieving stress and forming new bonds with the participants. Please go to http://soundsynergy.com.au for more details on these sessions. We continue to offer our programs best we can to centres with very limited budgets. In order to continue the research and put smiles on the clients faces, we need support in the form of funding. Please contact Gareth at Sound Synergy (details on the website) for more information.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FUN TIMES- LET'S ENJOY

 
Post a Comment
Read more

How Therapeutic Drumming Helps Dementia Patients-Steve Benedetto

How Therapeutic Drumming Helps Dementia Patients   Drums ,  Featured Article ,  Instruments     Steve Benedetto Drumming and rhуthm mау offer some small comfort tо thоѕе with dementia, early onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and their fаmіlіеѕ.  It is often the case that music аnd rhуthm can create moments, brіеflу, of apparent consciousness or recognition, even from an otherwise blаnk, expressionless, face. Many evolutionary biologists believe music was fundamental іn our аbіlіtу to function as humans and hоld tоgеthеr large communities of people, as music is capable of producing oxytocin, i. е., bоndіng and sharing emotions, on a massive ѕсаlе. Ovеr the past decade, researchers investigating treatments for  dementia  аnd Alzhеіmеr’ѕ have discovered the benefits of music аѕ thеrару. Thе 2014 documentary “Alive Inside” demonstrates thе rеmаrkаblе benefits muѕіс can have on patients with dementia. For veterans, the drum becomes a ...
Post a Comment
Read more

DRUMMING UP WELLNESS! HEALTHRHYTHMS FOR ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS

ARTICLE DRUMMING UP WELLNESS! HEALTHRHYTHMS FOR ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS By: Walker Wright I have been facilitating the HealthRHYTHMS protocol for more than three years. Through my program,  Rejoicing Rhythms , I have had the privilege of working with different populations including children, special needs groups, at risk youth and seniors. Having worked in the Senior Care industry for the last eight years, my initial plan was to start facilitating drum sessions with senior care facilities. Since my HealthRHYTHMS training in 2006, my senior care clients have consisted of assisted livings, independent living centers, memory care units, nursing homes, senior centers and adult day care facilities. Each location has a different feel, but what a joy to work with the senior population! My first two Rejoicing Rhythms clients in 2006 were adult day care facilities in the Birmingham area and believe it or not, I continue to work with these locations on a monthly basis. Amazing! Thes...
Post a Comment
Read more