IN A UK FIRST, two Welsh care homes have published an interactive book containing the musical memories of residents – and local charities are set to benefit from the sales.
Magical Musical Memories is the name of the book, which is a compilation of songs chosen by the ladies and gentlemen who live in Foxhunters Care Community in Abergavenny and Glenburnie Lodge Care Community in Wenvoe, Glamorgan.
Their favourite songs are included with others picked by residents living in three other care homes owned by luxury care home group, Dormy Care Communities.
People who buy the book won’t only be able to read why a song has particularly special memories for residents, they will also be able to watch and listen to the song on YouTube by pointing their smartphone camera on the QR reader on each page.
From classical music by greats such as Mozart and Beethoven to more modern songs by the likes of Queen, Tom Jones and Cyndi Lauper, the book includes residents’ favourite songs and any particular anecdotes/stories about them.
These were collated following interviews conducted with people who live in Foxhunters and Glenburnie Lodge, as well as Brockington House Care Community in Hereford, Pine Martin Grange Care Community in Dorse and Bramshott Grange Care Community in Hampshire.
It comes as a study by a UK university (Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge) reveals how music can reduce stress in people living with dementia and after former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and the daughter of singer Tony Christie revealed how music has helped prompt memories for their loved ones.
Helen Davies-Parsons, Chief Executive of Dormy Care Communities, said: “We are thrilled to have been able to produce this book showcasing the musical memories of the ladies and gentlemen from Foxhunters.
“From the songs that we danced to at our first school dance, to the albums that became the soundtrack of our lives, each memory is a testament to the ways in which music has shaped who we are and the moments that have defined us.
“Music has the unique ability to transport us back to a specific time and place, stirring up memories that we may have long forgotten and through the recollections of these wonderful people, these memories will now live on forever.”
Among the residents at Foxhunters whose musical memories have been captured are Elvis obsessed Jane Harding, who reveals why The King is always on her mind; Gladys Jones, who has chosen Lady in Red by Chris de Burgh because it reminds her of the red wedding dress she wore at her wedding; and Pauline Pritchard whose favourite song is Morning of my Life by The Bee Gees because it reminds her of her late husband Alan.
At Glenburnie Lodge, Peter and Diana Andrews selected Cyndi Lauper’s True Colour as it was the ‘anthem’ of a road trip they made to the USA in the 1980s; Vera Webber recalls seeing Frank Sinatra perform live in Las Vegas; and Lily Greaves chooses the song You are my Sunshine as she has used to sing this to her beloved pet dog.
Copies of the coffee table style book are being sold at £15 each and anyone interested in purchasing a copy can do so by contacting either of the homes on 01873 593075 (Foxhunters) or 02920 600020 (Glenburnie Lodge). The homes can take card payments over the phone and post the book out.
Both homes will be selecting a local charity to make a donation to from part of the sales of the book.
