The Silver Song Music Box™



Combating Lonliness and Supporting the Indepence and Mental Well Being of Old People
A Song a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Singing is an activity that accesses the long-term memory. This kind of music therapy can be especially helpful for those who are coming to terms with living with Dementia, or have had a stroke or have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The Music Box, whose programmes are designed by the charity Sing For Your Life, has proved successful in a variety of placements - residential care and nursing homes, hospitals and community centres. Recently, an Occupational Therapy student from the University of Brighton described it as:
“A really useful tool for the group and has worked really well enabling everyone to engage in the singing and reminiscence.
I found it very simple and logical to set up and use and it was very adaptable"
The Music Box is indeed simple to use and does not require any formal musical training to operate. It is therefore a considerable asset that can be used by any staff member, nursing or otherwise and at any time. It enables clients to gain from the many benefits that this group activity allows on a regular (daily) singing basis - a lot more often than is usually possible. It plugs into a television, or it can be operated through a projector & speakers. The bespoke piano accompaniment is designed to replicate singing round the piano in a pub or in the home. Unlike a Karaoke machine, which has a lot going on via the visual & musical backgrounds which can be confusing to many Dementia or elderly patients, the Music Box has been adapted to provide a simple colour background with only the words being displayed. Crucially, the key and speed can be changed to suit each individual patient group. It is also possible to show images on the screen which has been found to be very useful in the field of reminiscence.
The positive benefits of music therapy and singing on our health and wellbeing are increasingly being documented. Some of the key findings over the past few years are that it:
- provides excellent cognitive stimulation therapy for Dementia patients
- helps reduce stress & anxiety whilst increasing energy levels
- provides an inclusive activity (especially for patients who are socially isolated)
- provides an effective reminiscence experience (beneficial to those with Dementia)
- provides an inter-generational opportunity (perfect for patient groups in elderly care homes)
“Our activities team are always asking for more music, more music! But with budget restraints I cannot hire any more entertainers. The Music Box solves that challenge.” Care Home Manager, Canada
“Hey, this beats scheduling…we can decide in the moment to hold a session and have it running in less than five minutes.” Activities co-ordinator, Canada
"As part of our programme of activities, the Silver Song Music Box helps our residents to live well with their Dementia. We have daily sessions and I have loads of fun with them...it's like electricity: the room comes alive - they start off sleepy and finish up alert, awake and engaged."
Deena, Activities Co-Ordinator, Clifden House Seaford
"Brilliant!"
Janet, Activities Co-Ordinator, Broadmeadow Care Home Folkestone
For more information, please call us on 01303 298546 or 01303 298242
Suffolk Silver Song Project
Activities within this project
- Baylham Care Centre
- Ormonde Residential Care Home
- Bethesda Eventide Homes
- Oulton Park Care Centre
- Britten Court Care Home
- Pilgrim Homes
- Davers Court
- Stowlangtoft Hall Nursing Home
- Depperhaugh Care Home
- Willows Residential Home
Beneficiaries
Pilgrim Homes – Finborough Court, Stowmarket, Suffolk
December 2016
Britten Court, Lowestoft, Suffolk
January 2017
"We set up a Christmas choir with staff and residents and had a party with the Children's Centre next door. We have regular singing sessions with residents in our coffee shop. One resident who used to be very timid and stayed in her room, now comes and joins in the singing."
Oulton Park Care Home, Oulton Broads, Suffolk
November 2016
"I would like to let you know of a fantastic spontaneous session I had on Wednesday with the residents and their families it started off with me and two residents just having a look at it then we all got singing and families heard and joined us and we ended up with about 15 people in total all singing and it was a magical moment for me as a coordinator I just took the lead and everyone followed! It makes my job a lot easier so thank you it’s already creating a stir within the home a positive one."
Singalong South East
- Wokingham community, based at The Rainbow Centre
- Whitley Wood over 50s lunch club
- Lakeside Care Home
Additional work
- Hungerford Care Home – Sponsored by Vicaces Voices, a local choir (2016)
- Pinfold End Care Home in Suffolk – Sponsored by Cllr Terry Clements at Suffolk County Council (2016) & a private donator
- Lashbrook Care Home in Shiplake, Oxfordshire – funded by a grant from an anonymous Foundation Trust