​See the new film which encourages care homes to use Playlist For Life

An innovative charity project which helps families living with dementia connect through music has been backed by the Care Inspectorate.

Playlist For Life helps people use music to rekindle memories and promote connections with loved ones, as well as alleviate dementia symptoms such as stress and distress.

The project encourages families and people living with dementia to identify music from their past that can evoke memories – their playlist for life.

They can then listen to their playlist with a family member or carer with two sets of headphones and a splitter cable, through speakers or even just singing together.

This changes lives - we are excited that the Care Inspectorate wants all care homes in Scotland to be aware of its power

Now the Care Inspectorate has produced a film (see below) which explains the benefits of the playlist project and explains how it can be implemented to care home staff.

Heather Edwards, the Care Inspectorate’s dementia consultant, said: “Playlist for Life is such a great way to make that connection with a person living with dementia where everyday communication may be limited.

“A personalised playlist is the soundtrack that many of us have running alongside the important events in our lives as well as the background rhythm to the passing years. Hearing a song that takes us to our childhood home gives us a link to our identity.

“A song from a wedding can connect us to a loved partner. For me Playlist is all about making those connections to the people and events in our lives that define who we are.

“Staff watching the film will be able to get an awareness of the how to use Playlist and where to get training and support to bring this into their care homes, day centres or use with people living in their own homes.

“The more care staff know about a person the better they can support them to live well and keep those connections to friends and family as well as their own sense of who they are.”

Sally Magnusson, chair and founder of Playlist for Life, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Care Inspectorate is backing Playlist for Life.

“We offer support and training to care homes so they can reach an individual and bring them closer to staff and family members through their unique playlist. We know it changes lives. We are excited that the Care Inspectorate wants all care homes in Scotland to be aware of its power.”