0 Glasgows Golden Generation is using music to help people with dementia
A GLASGOW charity is able to include people with dementia in their activities thanks to new funding.
Glasgow's Golden Generation has received a £5,066 boost from Foundation Scotland for a member of staff to dedicate their time towards integrating people with dementia into their programs.
Lynsey Neilson said she is delighted to be able to help the older adults the organisation cares for.
She added: "About 60% of those who attend our day centre have dementia, so that’s quite a high number.
"But what is important for us is that rather than doing activities that are aimed fully at them, it’s about making the things that we are already doing dementia-friendly so that people can be included because that is what they want.”
Thanks to the extra resources, the charity will now be able to involve its service users with dementia in activities like sing-alongs and gardening, which can improve their mental health and sense of community.
The newly-appointed Dementia Champion said: “Your favourite song often takes you back to memories and it can be a good way of starting a conversation with people.
"First, we start with Scottish songs and then we can ask them what does that song remind them of and what is a time it takes them back to.
"It can be a really nice way to start a conversation, especially for someone with dementia, who isn’t always fully aware of where we are and everything that is happening around them at the present.
"When you bring in music, it give you a window and gives you an opportunity to talk to them and there is no confusion there because they talk about music and how it makes them feel quite easily.”
Glasgow's Golden Generation also rund befriending service, social clubs, gives advice and teaches service users to use technology.
They run two activity sessions with lunch in between to give carers time to run errands and service users a sense of belonging.
Ms Neilson added: “Often we have carers who need some rest and some time for themselves.
"A lot of the times it’s family members, so a husband and wife, for example, and the person who is caring needs some time to be able to look after themselves.
"But also, a big thing is going to the chemist or doing a shopping, when they bring the person they are caring for with them, it’s an extra layer of things being quite complex.
"This just gives them that time and they know the person will be safe.”