As a musician with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Kristen Sutcliffe knows exactly how much impact listening to music and experiencing it live can have on someone.
Now the bassoonist and audiologist is embarking on a project that will aim to benefit Canberrans living with dementia through live music.
Music and Memory is a pilot program running for the next eight weeks at Goodwin Village Ainslie, which will examine the links between positive behavioural changes in dementia patients after listening to music.
The program involves two musicians from the symphony orchestra performing a half-hour concert twice a week for those with dementia, with the music selection chosen beforehand by the audience.
The musicians performing will differ each week to bring a variety of instruments.
The program features many familiar pieces of music to the participants from decades past, including You Are My Sunshine and It's Almost Like Being In Love.
Mrs Sutcliffe, the program's curator, said familiar pieces of music had an enormous cognitive benefit for those living with dementia.
"The area of the brain that is responsible for hearing music is the last to deteriorate in dementia patients," she said. "Familiar songs and melodies can be appreciated by people even with late-stage Alzheimer's, and it can improve mood and sociability and decrease anti-social behaviour.
The program, which was developed in collaboration between Mrs Sutcliffe and University of Canberra psychology student Heather Roche, was set to be launched in March.
However, it had to be delayed until July due to the impact of coronavirus and restrictions on aged-care facilities.
While research efforts examining the benefit of music on dementia patients had focused on individualised listening or general music therapy concerts, the pilot program will aim to fall in between previous approaches.
"The response from people can be different for some people. Some tap their toes, while others that may be non-responsive or bed-bound move their head or have a slight smile when the music is on," Mrs Sutcliffe said. "We're doing a lot of repetition in the concerts because that is a strong framework."
Goodwin executive director Jamie Fillingham said it was hoped the program would improve the quality of life for many patients, along with being able to express themselves.
"It can also help people living in residential aged care stay connected to activities that are happening outside of the facility, since many of them are limited in their ability to go into the community," Mr Fillingham said.
"The program could also provide additional insights about residents as they respond to the program and may assist with a better tailoring of programming to their needs."
If the pilot proves to be a success, Mrs Sutcliffe said she hoped the program could become a regular fixture at other aged-care facilities across Canberra.
