Music is Life - Improving the challenging behaviours of older people with dementia

Older people with dementia sometimes display challenging behaviours like aggression, anxiety, wandering and agitation. Maroba Nursing Home in Waratah NSW, has discovered that the use of Baroque classical music has dramatically reduced such behaviour.

Janelle Tavender, Director of Nursing of Maroba Nursing Home will present the results at a Better Practice in aged care event, organised by The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency, to be held on 21-22 July.

Such challenging behaviours of residents with dementia impact on the quality of life of all, not the least the resident themselves. Maroba Nursing Home is committed to quality of life for all residents and became involved in a study using ambient Baroque music to decrease the incidence of challenging behaviour in people with dementia, with remarkable results.

“The study resulted in a 40% reduction in wandering, aggression, agitation and anxiety,” Janelle Tavender said.

By playing the Baroque style of classical music in the late afternoon and early evening (traditionally a ‘troublesome’ period for those with dementia), the results speak for themselves.

“We have a calmer environment for all residents, a better quality of life and less irritating distractions for all residents,” Ms Tavender said.

The Better Practice events aim to highlight the many positive programs being run in aged care facilities across Australia, with a vision to sharing information and knowledge to help homes provide a high quality standard of care to older Australians.

“Music is life”
Janelle Tavender, Director of Nursing
Maroba Nursing Home
Better Practice in aged care event
Novotel Olympic Park
Thursday 21 and Friday 22 July 2005

More information and a program of speakers is available. Contact numbers below or go to www.accreditation.aust.com

For further information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Liz Blieschke, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, (02) 8831 1033, 0438 446 466
Lisa Smith, Corporate Affairs Officer, (02) 8831 1016

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