Music for Dementia

Make your Thank You Day event more dementia friendly

Events will be taking place across the country on 2 July, to celebrate Thank You Day and the unsung heroes that make our communities better places to live.

Image shows a group of roughly 30 people holding drinks up to the camera smiling

Research shows that music can lift our mood, bring back memories and build connection like nothing else.

This power remains even if someone develops a life-limiting condition like dementia, and this year Thank You Day has partnered with Music for Dementia to share that message far and wide.

Or if you are running a general a community event on Thank You Day, here are some tips to help you  make it more enjoyable for someone with dementia to attend:

  1. Make it a relaxed performance

To ensure everyone has a great time, make sure the room is well lit and it is easy for people to get in and out from their seat if they need to. Say at the start of the event that people can come and go during the performance or activity, so no-one has to worry if they need to leave.

  1. Check the sound levels

Dementia can make people more sensitive to sound. If you are using microphones or speakers, keep an eye on the sound levels so they are not too loud. As a guide, people should still be able to hear someone next to them speak. 

  1. Ensure there is somewhere quiet people can go for a break

Having dementia makes everyday hustle and bustle tiring and can disorientating. If possible, reserve a room near your event as a Quiet Space. Make sure someone can shut the door and sit comfortably. Put a sign up encouraging people to use it, and make it part of your announcement at the start of the show.

  1. Signage

Everyone’s dementia journey is different and different skills and abilities may be affected at different points. One way to help is to have good signage in your venue using more than one way to communicate the same information eg a sign that has the word ‘Toilet’ plus a picture.

  1. Ask the experts

To learn more about making your event dementia friendly, you should check out expert advice from organisations like the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Carers Count and TIDE (Together In Dementia Everyday).

And why not become a Dementia Friend with the Alzheimer’s Society? Anyone can become a Dementia Friend by watching a short video about what it is like to have dementia and thoughts and ideas for how we can all be more dementia-friendly. It’s free and you can sign up here.