Member Article

Investment in playlist initiative is a hit with care home residents

Hull care organisation, Hica Group, has hit the right notes with care home residents after investing in a music therapy initiative.

The not for profit care organisation, has introduced ‘Playlist for Life’, a unique initiative which uses the favourite songs of individuals to ignite fond memories from their lives, while boosting their mood and engagement.

Playlist For Life is a UK-based charity launched in 2013, which uses music to make a positive difference to people’s lives. The initiative is being delivered in various healthcare settings, as well as care homes and is primarily used for those living with dementia, although largely popular with older people.

An in-house trainer from the charity has delivered training to all of the Hica Group’s dedicated activity coordinators so that the scheme can benefit as many people as possible throughout the care organisation’s 15 care homes in Hull and East Riding and two retirement villages.

The training explored the value of music therapy, as well as looking at the clinical side, on how music stimulates the brain and how to ensure that the music chosen is suitable for each individual.

Brian Johnson, activities and wellbeing lead across the Hica Group, said: “The playlist for life scheme is a fantastic concept which we’re proud to have invested in. Improved engagement and resident/carer relationships are just some of the benefits that others have seen from the initiative. We’ve had some really positive feedback from our dementia specialist and learning disability homes in particular.

“Activities are an increasingly important part of our residents’ physical and mental wellbeing and the playlist for life concept is an engaging way to promote the importance of it, alongside our existing activities.”

MP3 players and iPods have been bought by the organisation’s Shine Fund, which comprises of donations and fundraising efforts of staff, residents and their families. The fund exists purely to benefit the users of the Hica Group’s services.

Although the fund has paid for some MP3 players and iPods, the organisation hopes that staff and residents donate their old phones, MP3 players and iPods so that every resident is able to have their own device with their own music on.

As well as operating a portfolio of 15 care homes, five of which are for people with a learning disability, along with two retirement villages, the Hica Group also run a homecare service providing approximately 11,500 hours of care and support from four regional offices in the north of England.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by The Hica Group .