Joe’s story

World Alzheimer’s Month is celebrated every September and is an important time to raise awareness and share information about dementia. This year, we’re sharing how music has helped to support Joe.

Making music takes Joe to a place where he is relaxed and happy

Joe is 85 years old and has lived at Heathlands Village care home for the past three years. Before being diagnosed with dementia, he was a very sociable person who enjoyed talking and joking with friends. However, as his dementia has progressed, he has found verbal social interactions increasingly confusing and frustrating. He struggles to follow conversations and becomes irritated when others can’t follow what he says. As a result, Joe now rarely leaves his room in the care home.

Every week, music therapist David comes to visit the home. He often finds Joe in his room, drinking a cup of tea. When he sees him, Joe will ask, “What do you want anyway?” When David suggests they make music, Joe shrugs but allows him to enter and the music therapy begins.
And it’s here, in these sessions, that Joe “comes to life,” says his son Ivan.

When his music therapy session begins, Joe is offered a tambourine and he immediately lights up. And as he begins to tap away at the instrument, his whole demeanour changes and he starts to laugh along. David accompanies him on the ukulele, and together they often improvise an energetic tune.

As the session goes on, Joe’s enthusiasm continues to grow, and he and David might start to sing together. David improvises jazzy melodies to match Joe’s style of playing. Joe gets excited as they start to increase the volume, and he often exclaims “oh yeah!”.

The impact of these sessions has been absolutely extraordinary on my dad.

Ivan, Joe’s son

Those close to Joe have noticed how positive the sessions have been for him. Staff at his care home have observed how his mood improves after music therapy, while his son, Ivan, describes the sessions as “the most impactful thing that has transformed my dad’s quality of life.”

“It’s really given my dad a new lease of life and it’s given me a new sense of connection with him.”

Ivan, Joe’s son

For Ivan, seeing the effect of music on his dad Joe has been emotional. He recalls that music has always been important to his dad and believes music therapy has helped to reignite these memories.

Now, when Ivan visits his dad Joe, he brings along his guitar even though he jokes, “I can’t play the guitar, as my dad knows.” But seeing what music can do for Joe has given Ivan the confidence to use it as a way for them to connect.

For both of them, music has created a new way to spend time together – one that feels familiar, joyful and meaningful. It has helped strengthen their bond between and makes their visits even more special.

Watch Joe and his music therapist David make music together