Cherry Tree House Harnesses The Power of Music Therapy

A potentially groundbreaking, four month music therapy pilot test, has identified significant benefits for the wellbeing of residents living with complex needs and advancing dementia.

A joint venture between L&M Healthcare (specialists in dementia and complex care - CDBU) and Nordoff and Robbins (the UK’s largest music therapy charity) has shown highly encouraging and possibly innovative results for L&M Healthcare residents at Cherry Tree House in Stockport.

The power of music therapy is well documented, but the pilot test results revealed new findings in addition to those expected.

Standout observations were:

• An average of five, what L&M Healthcare call ‘Magic Moments,’ or behaviours not seen before, were observed weekly, with 40 residents regularly taking part. (usually rarely seen)

• Having had one to one music therapy sessions in her room, and in collaboration with the Wellbeing team and Assistant Psychologist, one resident left her room after five years of self-imposed isolation. She now regularly takes part in music therapy and other group activities.

• In one household, where it had been previously thought that live music would not be possible due to residents’ previously challenging behaviours, the same residents now regularly take part in music therapy sessions, have live singers performing and even attend parties.

• The enhanced mood that music therapy facilitates stays in the home long after the music therapy sessions end. Impacting positively on everyone for the entire day. People often sing songs heard in the sessions afterwards.

• Observations suggest that those who attend regular music therapy either in group or one to one sessions tend to become involved with other activities.

• Some participants now associate the day of the week with music therapy. Saying things like ‘Oh, good its Thursday, it's music therapy day.”

• An increased willingness of care team members to actively take part and bring residents to the sessions, having been encouraged by the increased number of ‘Magic Moments’ observed firsthand. Team members started to participate in the sessions more, learning how to better encourage more engagement with instruments. They also now use the instruments more effectively in between sessions.

• Feedback from families was extremely positive, with many noting improvements in their loved ones’ interactions and overall happiness.

Advocate of music therapy and Managing Director of L&M Healthcare, Jeanne Davies, has been impressed with the results, "Music therapy has brought a new level of joy and connection to residents at Cherry Tree House. We've seen individuals who rarely spoke start to sing along to familiar songs, and those who were often withdrawn or even self-isolating, become involved in group activities. It has been truly heartwarming to witness these transformations, but what is potentially groundbreaking are the wider learnings in this pilot test, and we are now fully investigating these with further trials."

Lou Gregg, acting Regional Manager North West & North Wales for Nordoff and Robbins, feels that collaboration has also played its part: “It has been wonderful to work alongside the team at Cherry Tree House and see music therapy woven into the care they are already providing. For people living with dementia, the moments of connection that music can create are both powerful and essential. We’ve seen residents reconnect, share memories and express themselves in ways that feel natural and joyful.

This pilot demonstrates what is possible when skilled care and music therapy come together, and we’re grateful to L&M Healthcare for how they have embraced this partnership. We look forward to creating many more of these ‘Magic Moments’ through music therapy in the future.”

The success of the pilot test has led to L&M Healthcare signing an annual contract with Nordoff and Robbins to continue providing Cherry Tree House with one full day of music therapy every week. L&M Healthcare are also looking to increase the number of music therapy sessions across the group. The full report is available to download from L&M Healthcare's website news page. www.lmhealthcare.co.uk/news

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