MUSIC is one of those things that can make anyone smile.

But for those who are suffering with dementia, it can often have unexpected results.

When people think of the condition, most assume that it only affects memory, but it can also impact on other senses, including sight, sense of orientation and spatial awareness.

Music reaches parts of the damaged brain in ways other forms of communication cannot, even in the most advanced cases – and the team at Fitzwarren House care home offer residents music therapy as a way of supporting their unforgiving symptoms.

But with growing demand for the service, the home, which is run by national charity MHA, launched an appeal to raise £26,000.

To help it on its way, the team recently received a £1,000 cash boost thanks to the Swindon Charity Ball. The money will buy additional percussion instruments, digital recording equipment and an iPad for use with residents with moderate to severe dementia.

Zoe Steer, community fundraising manager for MHA, said the team were over the moon to hear that their vital work can continue.

“Each session with the residents is really interactive so music therapy can help people who can’t understand language or can’t speak very well to respond to music,” she said. “It is massively critical to dementia care and no one has to have a musical knowledge to respond to this form of therapy.

“It is important for a variety of instruments to be introduced to the residents so they can find something they love. For some people it takes them to a new place in their minds and they really get into it.

“It was the first time we have applied to the Charity Ball and the response we have had has been really positive.

“It is amazing to see people come alive and be completely different once they’ve had music therapy.”

With more than 2,000 people living with dementia in Swindon, the need to find new ways of working with patients is vital and so this crucial funding will help the team extend the music therapy to help benefit each of the 32 residents.

The instruments and tools will be used by music therapist Laura Bolton to deliver both group therapy and weekly 30-minute one-to-one sessions for residents.

This will help to manage unwanted symptoms of dementia such as anxiety and agitation as well as promoting feelings of wellbeing.

Music therapy can also help to enhance communication and self-expression.

Laura uses a variety of techniques to develop non-verbal interaction and communication with residents. These include improvisation, singing well known songs and music and movement. These are drawn from mainstream therapeutic practice and can transform emotional and psychological states of mind by reducing feeling of depression, anxiety and agitation.

Laura said: “Often when people can’t speak, they can still understand and recite the words to songs they know from years before and it helps them deal with some symptoms that dementia brings.

“Music seems to bring people to life and some people can be withdrawn but once they get involved with the instruments or move their bodies to the music, then that allows them to get into discussions about music they listened to.”

The additional light-weight percussion instruments and beaters will be simple for the less-able residents to use to mark out a beat, make music and join in with sessions.

Digital recording equipment will allow sharing the resident’s sessions with family members, allowing them to see the impact of music therapy on their loved ones. A music therapy specific iPad will allow residents with very limited movement to take part in music therapy by making sounds through the app.