UK (Commonwealth Union) – Singing and leisurely group activities have often been met with a positive reception in elders’ homes across the world and a new study has confirmed the positive impact, such activities have not just on residents of elder’s homes but also the staff engaged in those activities with greater bonding and enthusiasm.
A University of Stirling pilot study has demonstrated that music and movement have a great impact on both health and wellbeing of care home residents which could encourage a wider expansion of the program. The study, conducted by the University of Stirling’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, together with the wellbeing, arts and fitness company danceSing Care, that monitored 47 residents from 10 Balhousie Care Group homes from all over Scotland over 12 weeks as they recalled memories and enhanced their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Residents and caregivers tapped their toes, clapped and sang as they embraced digital music and movement resources produced by the danceSing Care team which sought guidance from NHS healthcare professionals. During the study period, residents participated in the online danceSing Care sessions 4 times a week, where they were encouraged to participate in many fun and meaningful activities such as chair and standing fitness, music and singing, bespoke Memory Lane radio shows, as well as musical concerts.
The popularity of the sessions grew as the weeks progressed, with a variety of benefits and improvements to residents’ wellbeing that were revealed. Academics focused on numerous aspects of participants’ health and wellbeing, spanning anxiety and depression, stress and loneliness, sleep satisfaction, and signs of frailty that included appetite and unintentional weight loss. Positive results were seen in a number of areas. “I enjoyed the fitness part of it the most and have become familiar with the moves as they were easy to follow. I love music and found the music part of the programme very enjoyable too,” said Robert Wilson a participant from the Balhousie Care Home.
