BESPOKE PURPLE ANGEL MP3s with music for those with Dementia

HOW IT WOKS..........

Research has PROVED that music lights up more electrodes in the brain than any other activity known to mankind. If that's not enough, some research in the USA says that the receptor in the brain that receives the music signal being emitted is never affected by dementia, so put the two together and what do you get ??

Please, let me explain........

If it was a simple as just playing music to those with dementia then everybody would do it, but it's not, we have taken it a couple of steps farther. The MP3 music players we design are bespoke to the individual client which means we ask family and close friends to tell us the absolute favorite songs/tunes musicals the person with the dementia likes (Average about 10 to 12 tracks ) The reason for this is, as in life, when you but a CD of your favourite artists there is always one or two tracks that you won't like. With this, every song will be a favorite of theirs. This is what makes it so different. So, now here comes the science bit, not really, it is really so simple.

We have found by placing the MP3 players on the heads of those clients we have just mentioned no less than 30 mins before mealtimes, or even intermittently during the day, the brain activity is stimulated by this and therefore switches on all kinds of emotions and brings the ability to converse to the forefront in some cases. We have found that whilst the music is playing they if asked, can start to remember where they heard the music, what they were doing at the time and possibly in some cases how they used to love playing a musical instrument. it is without a doubt amazing to witness.

The other benefits are because they start to enjoy themselves, move about, sing along etc when this is done prior to mealtimes they feel more like eating and drinking, and there is no reason whatsoever they cant do this whilst listening to music in their earphones.

The MP3s are small in size and the earphones are comfy, they are not just earbuds but the wider cushion effect earphones but i have to explain that these must be monitored by staff if clients are prone to throwing stuff or becoming very fidgety or distressed, this is NOT a one size fits all and we do not claim it works for all but we have always worked on the theory that if it works for just one and helps them have a better quality of life its all been worth it. We have been working and collating evidence on this for the last few years and have had some incredible results and feedback, but i must stress again it does not work for all.

The reason we are sharing this is that we at the Purple Angel believe there are so many companies out there making so much money from dementia at HUGLEY inflated prices. We deliver this for free because we raise funds for it. The problem is its become so popular we are being inundated with orders!!! And as you can imagine we only have so much funding to go around, but with a little fundraising (You will be surprised how cheap it is to do this) and a little bit of up to date TECCY Knowledge, how much you can improve people lives.

We will here at the Purple Angel continue to provide as many as possible but we do urge all Purple Angel ambassadors and supporters to take this on and lets help so many people

EVIDENCE AND OUTCOMES

MP3 Outcomes – Project The Power of Music

Appleby House

We have had 13 MP3 players with personalised music and headphones. Out of the 13 residents, we have seen positive changes in 11 residents and some unbelievable changes that have astounded us. For one resident that the MP3 player did not work for, we gave it to another resident not eating and drinking and spending most of the day asleep. This resident is now alert, eating and drinking.

We have 2 residents who were on end of life that have come back to life since the introduction of the MP3 players.

What we seen residents speaking more, residents who never communicate verbally have been speaking. Residents have been putting on weight and have been much more alert.

Staff have been so excited by the results they have asked us to request more MP3 players for other residents. Families who have seen the reaction of residents listening to the MP3 players have asked if we can get them for their relatives.

The difference the MP3 players have made has to almost be seen to be believed. With BG (Da Vinci) who was approaching the end of her life, not accepting personal care, not eating or drinking and was very thin. To see her now right from the moment she had her MP3 player – singing, dancing, smiling, talking, eating and drinking and has gained some weight. Every day I see her, I still cannot belive the change.

We cannot thank Norrms and Purple Angel enough, you have brought so much joy to so many residents, their family and the staff.

Shona Bradbury

Home Manager

Appleby House, Epsom, Surrey

Please see below comments from care staff and family

DZ (Picasso) – DZ is a lovely lady who lived in Germany, she can be very quiet and will decline to join in activities or interaction he likes to read but is becoming sleepier. Since receiving her MP3 player with German folk music on she seems happier in herself especially whilst she is wearing her headphones, her appetite has improved slightly and she’s more alert at the table.

JG (Van Gogh) “JG can be anxious at times when in a crowded place or with lots of noise. She sits and sings along to her MP3 player for shorts bursts of time, she is happy whilst they are on and will sing at the top of her voice.” BS, carer

Evaluation - There is not a lot of evidence to suggest that it is helping to ease her anxiety at the moment.

EH (Renoir) – EH is a lovely lady who enjoys art sessions and she loves to read, she came from a big Italian family however she has stopped communicating verbally as much as she used to and can be quite sleepy. Her daughter chose all her favourite Italian classical songs for her player and the effect when she is listening to her music is truly magical, she sings along to the songs with a big smile on her face.EH is being more alert and active, she is more aware and communicating with longer sentences and her mood is lifted”. DS, carer

(Email message from EN Daughter and Granddaughter)

“Dear Shona, I would like to say how much my mum’s speech and memory appears to have improved since she has had the MP3 player with her favourite Italian songs. She has been singing along with all of the songs and it has definitely stimulated her into remembering once again the music she grew up with in her Italian family and it makes both myself and my daughter particularly happy knowing how much it has enhanced her wellbeing, Thank you so much for choosing my mum to be recipient of such a simple yet effective gift, with our best wishes.” Daughter and granddaughter

DS (Renoir) – DS is a lovely lady who is very emotional many times throughout the day and she becomes anxious for her family. The MP3 player has changed DS mood dramatically. She is less tearful and when she is feeling emotional then the headphones will brighten her mood and this last for a considerable time. This has made such a change to her wellbeing on a day to day basis. DS also likes to be sung too, especially Patsy Cline – Crazy, she joins in and it makes her happier”. DS and M carers

JS (Van Gogh) – “JS was very quiet and had lost the ability to engage in conversation, since wearing her headphones she as an awareness and is now speaking words and she is making eye contact and smiling and answering yes or no questions. JS seems happier and is ready to smile when engaged”. BS, carer and CS, team leader

(Email message from JS daughter to Norrms)

Hello Norm,

I would just like to say thank you for taking the time to put music on to an I pod / MP3 player for my mum. (JS)

My mum has lost the ability to speak her communication is limited she does say some words but her facial expressions say it all she smiles with her eyes and she still laughs and rolls her eyes, but it has been getting less and then she was picked to have one of the I pods you are doing and it has been so amazing we sit with her while she has the headphones on and you can see in her face how she is really enjoying the music and that it is sparking memories. She taps her foot to the beats and she looks and smiles she also starts to try and talk you can see it is making a difference she may not be dancing in her seat or trying to sing but you can see her really listening and taking it in,

I love sitting there and holding her hand while she just listens she will look at me she is very tactile and the other day while listening she stroked my face which is so lovely as I miss my mum to talk to and to share with I feel like the mum and she is my child which all day long I will look after her and do anything for her she is my world she brought me into this world and she looked after me but I do miss her.

I have also noticed she is trying to speak more and I am hoping that this will continue and bring her speech out more. Last week when it was just her and my dad she had the headphones on and one of the Carers told me that she was sitting quietly listen holding my dad’s hand and she suddenly jumped so she thinks the song changed and she looked at my dad and gave him a big smile and the carer said it was such a lovely moment and it must of been a song that sparked a memory with my dad.

So from the bottom of my heart I thank you I love the idea my mum always loved music and my dad and her loved to go dancing and jive, when I was little on a Sunday the record player was always playing country and western or rock and roll while they got the Sunday dinner ready together. It is a brilliant thing to do and i Love just sitting there with her holding her hand while she listens and watching her face it’s wonderful.

Thank you again Norm xx

Claire

AM (Picasso) – AM would usually sit and not talk to anyone unless he really wanted to, he is very resistive to personal care and would shout at the carers. AM is also very sleepy during the day and so not engaging in anything stimulating. When he first received his MP3 player the change was instant, he was tapping along to the music and was more alert. The changes have continued and he is now conversing a lot more, eating and drinking better and has steadily gained weight over the last few weeks. AM sits and taps the table and taps his feet when he is listening to his music. AM has been less resistive and agitated when engaging in personal care and even insists on keeping it on when he visits the toilet.”. A very dramatic change. PW, carer

(AM Daughter and Son-in-law) “I myself have only seen him once or twice with his headset on & on those occasions he has been a lot brighter & really enjoying his music. He taps away & even sings the words. Graham has seen him on more occasions with them & again he is thoroughly enjoying his music & sees the same response. Overall we believe when he has them on he is happier & more responsive. Music is a wonderful way to help all those with dementia.”

CN (Da Vinci) – “ Carers say that they have not seen changes in CN after wearing the MP3 player”. Sav, carer.

(SB – Home Manager)

We had a resident LR (Monet) who had not been eating and drinking and spending long periods sleeping. Her GP and the hospital could find no medical reason for this. We tried CN (Da Vinci) on LR and the family were present. We were blown away with the response when she started singing and tapping her feet, waving her arms. Then she eat nearly half a box of chocolates and drunk her cup of tea. Since then 13/08/2018, LR has continued to eat much better and drinking fluids very well. LR is now alert and sitting up able to engage with other residents again.

AH (Da Vinci) – AH is a lady that does not converse easily, she loves to sing and has a beautiful voice. “AH loves Whitney Houston and loves to sing along to her songs whilst she has them on, she is eating slightly better and has gained a small amount of weight. You can see the happiness on her face whilst she is listening and singing along.” SP carer and TJ Lifestyle coordinator.

DM (Da Vinci) – DM is a lovely lady that had been having a few falls due to urine infections, whilst she had the infections she would get more agitated and try to rush with her frame and so fall, her husband said that she loved particular classical songs so that is what she is listening to, she seems more relaxed and her falls have reduced. DM seems to be understanding and communicating better, she seems happier in herself and loves her music. SS, carer and TJ lifestyle coordinator

RC (Van Gogh) – “RC loves it whilst he has it on, we have been putting it on just before lunch, we have not observed any changes at this time.”

MB (Van Gogh) – “MB is making more eye contact and saying words although not sentences, it is much more than she was saying before. She is so happy when she has her headphones on, she sways and waves her hands.” BS carer

(Feedback fro MB partner)

“MB has always loved music and as an adult went to many venues to see and hear her favourite artists. Her dementia means that she does not actively participate in conversations although she will seem to understand instructions and respond appropriately. Since listening to the MP3 player she has appeared more alert, smiling more and forming short sentences. Watching her whilst listening, she closes her eyes and visibly moves to the music in time and moves her hand to the music. She does n ot try to remove the headphones and her pleasure is evident.”

AM (Van Gogh) – “On end of life and has good and bad days. AM loves music and would sing whenever she had the chance. When she first received her MP3 player she seemed to come awake and was singing and clapping to Elvis. AM is eating and drinking better when she’s having a good day and has had a slight weight gain. ” BS carer and CS team leader

BG (Da Vinci) – “BG was withdrawing gradually from everyone and not interacting

At all, she has been suffering with depression and low mood for years and has been on medication that has not worked particularly well. B has been very resistive to personal care and preferred to stay alone in her room and was bordering on end of life. There are no words to describe how profoundly the music has changed her wellbeing. We knew that she loved Abba and now that she is wearing her MP3 player she is interacting more and joining planned activities and impromptu sing along, she is eating and drinking more and has gained weight. BG is more receptive to support with personal care. Although she still may have her off days, she is so much happier in herself .A very dramatic change.”

JUST IN !!!!!!!!!!!!

Incredible Hospital feedback from Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital UK

K2 – Lady with dementia was unsettled and agitated. Placed the MP3 player on prior to the evening meal and she settled and ate more than she normally would.

K6 – Distressed lady prone to wandering. She Used MP3 player and she settled and listened to the music for around 30-45mins

A4- Lady with dementia occasionally quite distressed and tearful. Used MP3 player and was listening to Elvis Presley and calmed her making her more settled.

A2- Lady tending to wander around ward. Invited to sit at table and listen to music via MP3. Settled and stayed there to eat her supper.

A6 – Gentleman, with episode of delirium, shouting out and unsettled. Appeared more relaxed after listening to music.

xxx