Dementia DJ plays ABBA and Ska to get residents dancing

Music is a powerful, primeval force that stirs strong emotions and memories in humans. For this reason, it is one of the most effective tools that can be used in reminiscence therapy to reach people with dementia.

Martin Aston is a music journalist who has written for publications such as MOJO, the Melody Maker and the Guardian in a career spanning over 34 years. As well as interviewing many icons of pop and rock, such as David Bowie, Patti Smith, Kate Bush and Brian Wilson, he has also volunteered as a DJ for a 10-week residency at Anchor’s Waterside care home in Peckham.

He now regularly DJs for the ‘Cocktails in Care Homes’ project run by intergenerational volunteers, Magic Me, and he knows exactly which tracks get residents up on the dancefloor or tapping their feet.

To this end, he has shared his ‘tried-and-tested’ Spotify playlist for carehome.co.uk featuring ten of his favourite party songs for care home residents and people with dementia.

Dementia resident ‘suddenly stood straight up, and started to jig’

As well as being a great way to tap into the memories of those with dementia, music is also about living in the moment, as Martin explains: “My most memorable moment at Waterside care home was when I played a ska track, I’m fairly sure it was Prince Buster's version of ‘Enjoy Yourself’, and one resident, Caleb. who always sat in his wheelchair with his head down and eyes closed, suddenly stood straight up, and started to jig. It was so unexpected and so moving, I instantly had tears in my eyes.”

Although Martin had previously volunteered as a Samaritan, he felt he had still been putting work first and then an opportunity came up to volunteer for LGBT+ artist coop/ club hosts, Duckie, and the intergenerational charity Magic Me, which ran a 10-week DJ residency for Waterside care home.

He would play songs for themed evenings based on things such as the seaside, Fireworks night and the fairground for the Palace of Varieties project which saw a variety of voluntary artists perform at the home. Martin says: “It was one of the most profound, and enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had: to see the difference that music made to people, especially for those living with dementia, and to help create a sense of community and purpose.”

When the residency ended, Martin knew he still wanted to be involved with DJing in care homes and eventually teamed up with Magic Me for the Cocktails in Care Homes project which hosts weekly parties for residents.

Top Ten list of songs for dementia residents

If you are planning a party in a care home, or a get together for friends or family who have dementia, Martin has prepared a dementia playlist in conjunction with Cocktails for Care Homes, which can be accessed on Spotify here.

All the tracks featured are just a flavour of what has gone down well in Martin’s experience of being a care home DJ. Songs have been selected because they promote feelings of wellbeing and happiness, but also have great potential for reminiscence for those with dementia.

Martin suggests that most of the songs he selected for his Spotify list can be substituted for ones of a similar ilk, although he highly recommends tracks that have good sing-a-long potential, and which staff can also join in with. He says: “The first time we closed with sing-a-long of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ – people singing along and waving their arms. Every time I see a positive reaction to a piece of music I have played, it’s a life-affirming, experience.”

Songs that have great rhythm and which get residents dancing are also a good bet, Martin suggests.

Frank Sinatra - Let’s Face the Music and Dance

Sinatra’s voice will be very recognisable to many care home residents and those with dementia. Martin describes this big band classic as “incredibly infectious and upbeat, with a fantastic horn-driven big-band arrangement that truly swings.” He continues, “I also love the ‘let’s party’ sentiment of the song, ‘There may be trouble ahead / but while there’s moonlight and music and love and romance / let’s face the music and dance.’”

Chubby Checker – Let’s Twist Again

This track is unbeatable if you want to get care home residents up and on their feet dancing, says Martin: “It’s such a perennial favourite that care home staff members know it really well, and I’ve found their involvement is crucial in encouraging residents to get out of their chairs and shake a leg!”

Millie – My Boy Lollipop

In the Peckham-based care homes Martin volunteers in, there are a sizeable number of residents with Caribbean roots, and so he likes to play reggae and ska tracks. The music journalist recommends this as a ‘great song’ to get people to move to, saying: “Millie’s best-known song was a big UK hit in the 1960s, and again it’s so upbeat and catchy, with a ‘singalong’ chorus. Unbeatable, really.”

The Supremes – Baby Love

This track has a legendary Motown sound that is instantly recognisable for the large community of 1960s baby boomers that reside in UK care homes. Martin calls the song: “A great melodic dance track that swings and gets the feet moving.”

Prince Buster – Enjoy Yourself

The second ska track on the list is more mid-tempo and based on an old big band favourite. Martin suggests digging out the old Louis Prima version too, which he describes as ‘terrific’. The music journalist thinks this song also has a certain poignancy to its lyrics. He says: “The sentiment, ‘Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think/ enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think’ is perhaps bittersweet if played in a care home, but it’s also a celebration of life.”

Dolly Parton – 9 to 5

This bright and breezy pop/ country classic got a very good reception last time Martin played it for residents. He says: “I played this once and it went down really well – it’s got a country feel as well as pop, Dolly’s voice is bright and sweet, and it’s got a great chorus.”

Lord Rockingham’s XI – Hoots Mon

We all love a good novelty song now and then, and Martin confesses he may have put this song on the list because he rather likes it himself. He muses, “It’s always been a favourite track, and a bit of a novelty.” He says he loves the fact that “it’s got a great rhythm, parping saxophones and comedy voices... one for the all Scots out there!”

Ritchie Valens - La Bamba

Being based in a diverse part of London, Martin loves to provide something for residents with Latin roots. He also likes to provide variety in feel and tempo and “also because of La Bamba’s beat, familiarity, and ‘good times’ feeling.’” He jokes: “I think there is a pattern emerging here!”

Abba – Dancing Queen

Recently revealed by the media as a song that even the Queen is rather partial to when she wants to hit the dancefloor, there probably isn’t anyone alive who hasn’t heard of this song. Martin suggests that songs such as this that have such universal appeal, have a magic way of connecting people. He laughs: “Who doesn’t know this song? Who doesn’t fancy themselves a bit of a dancing queen?”

Bobby Bloom - Montego Bay

Martin says: “This Caribbean-meets-pop rhythm, has a great singalong chorus, and it radiates sunshine.” But he also suggests that there are many songs like this that could fulfill a similar role, such as Mungo Jerry’s ‘In the Summertime’, which he describes as “a great alternative to Bobby’s mega-smash”.

Head over to Cocktails in Care Homes on Spotify to see other playlists they’ve put together with Martin for events such as cream tea afternoons, Christmas parties and Halloween.

https://open.spotify.com/user/cocktailsincarehomes

click here for more details or to contact Waterside