Using music as a communication tool

On Thursday afternoon we put on an easter afternoon with some visitors from another centre. The afternoon consisted of an easter card competition, a raffle, food and drink and a man playing the accordion or 'squeezebox' as it referred to in this area. I went in to join the clients and visitors in this and to talk to a few different people but also because Mrs Black expressed a desire for me to be there for at least a little bit. Still wanting to make sure she wasn't too dependent on me I left her sitting with a lady from the other centre and a lady from our centre and, though a few times she looked round confused and once she stood up and got confused about where she wanted to go, generally she seemed quite content and also engaged in conversation a little with these ladies.

I stood aside and watched the different reactions to this new experience. Some poeple seemed to revel in it and chatted appily with all around them and introduced themselves to new faces. Others looked a little wary and one lady with dementia began to cry when the music started. The music made a big difference to the situation. The tunes, though not all recognised by me, were all old familiar ones and many people joined in singing and swaying to the music. One lady who is in a wheelchair and stuggles generally to communicate verbally with people was absolutely overjoyed and clapped and smiled along to the music until the last moment before she went home. This reaction to the music highlighted the potential for using music in reminiscence work and also just the potential to use it in centres and homes to help people relax in the comfort of something familiar but also, bearing in mind the reaction of crying and feeling unsettled as well I realised the importance of not generalising this potential to everybody's situation. There is a need to look at each individual's situation and reaction to things such as this and to be prepared to respond accordingly, for example by probing the lady to discuss why the msuic makes her cry or by being aware that music such as this may be bringing up painful meories and feelings linked with them. The memories may not have even been painful, it could have just been the new surroundings and situations which upset this lady or it could even have been happy memories which highlighted the difference in her life then and now. This is all speculation as I personally did not get to speak with her but I certainly found it interesting to consider and to see how after talkig with one of the workers she relaxed a little though still maintained an expression of sadness throughout the afternoon.

Mrs Black, on the other hand, enjoyed the afternoon and I was glad to see her beginning to talk to other people and settle in.