CARE HOME RESIDENTS TUNE IN TO THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE

A silent disco kit is helping transform the lives of people with dementia at a care home in Somerset.

Camelot House and Lodge in Wellington raised £1,500 with help from residents’ relatives, staff and friends to buy the special equipment.

The three transmitters, one for each of the homes three lounges, were purchased from Somerset Silent Disco, is connected to the home’s sound system which is then piped into headphones.

“It’s gone down a treat,” said Camelot activities co-ordinator Richard Dempslake. “Our residents get such a buzz from listening to their favourite tunes.

“We also use the system for Guess-The-Sound games and for listening to relaxing sounds likes birds singing and waves lapping on a beach.

“The kit has three different channels which means we have the ability to play three different styles of music at the same time which is great for people with different tastes.”

Along with the transmitter, Camelot purchased 40 headphones for use of residents at the 90-bed complex run by Camelot Care.

“We’ve been a hiring silent disco from Somerset Silent Disco for a while now, and it worked so well we wanted to have our own equipment.

“It’s working out well with some residents choosing to listening to just a few minutes at a time while others stayed tuned in for up to an hour,” added Richard.

“We make playlists to suit each resident’s interests and put them on different channels, playing everything from rock n’roll, to classical to country.

“It provokes a great reaction with residents singing along, tapping their feet, humming, clapping along, smiling and laughing.

“Everyone seems happier, interacting with each other dancing, singing or clapping along.”

Among the favourite tunes include Flanagan and Allen’s ‘Run Rabbit Run’ and ‘Oh, what a beautiful morning’ from the musical Oklahoma.

Richard says music and memory are very much intertwined and help calm people living with dementia and dramatically improve their mood.