Research funded by the Morrison Government highlights the potential of musical reminiscence therapy in reducing negative symptoms and improving the lives of older Australians living with dementia.
"Successful therapies like this that focus on wellbeing and quality of life must be given top priority, particularly as our Government moves to regulate and minimise the use of restraint in the aged care sector," said Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt AM.
The Silver Memories radio service conducted the $150,000 12-month trial of their nostalgia music broadcasts across 16 residential aged care homes.
"Every one of the 74 residents who participated showed significant improvements in quality of life as well as reductions in depression, agitation and physical aggression," said Minister Wyatt.
"This demonstrates the positive and sometimes profound effects of music in helping manage dementia.
"The wellbeing of people living with dementia is a top priority for our Government and it is critical that we find and evaluate new therapies and activities to better their lives."
Dementia is a group of diseases that progressively affect the brain, compromising thought processes, behaviour, memory and the ability to perform everyday tasks.
More than 436,000 people are currently living with dementia in Australia, and around 250 Australians develop dementia every day.
The Morrison Government invests over $50 million each year in a range of programs that seek to improve the care and supports available for people living with dementia.
Our Government has invested $200 million over five years in the landmark Boosting Dementia Research Initiative, with a further $185 million medical research package announced in December 2019, the 10-year Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission.
Its focus will include: Dementia (diagnosis, treatment and prevention); Fall prevention and avoidable hospitalisations; Assistive technology to support independence.
The research can be found on the Silver Memories website.
