An international University of Melbourne-led trial using music and reading to help connect caregivers and their loved ones living with dementia is now recruiting across Australia.
HOMESIDE is the largest clinical trial in music therapy and dementia that has ever been conducted.
HOMESIDE aims to support caregivers to use music and reading in strategic ways to reduce isolation, increase wellbeing, foster connections with loves ones and enhance quality of life for families and people living with dementia.
“Family carers experience significant burden and the Government is investing considerable funds into researching effective strategies to support carers and keep people living with dementia at home for as long as possible,” explains Professor Felicity Baker, the study’s chief investigator.
“In our study, the music and reading programs that we train caregivers to use at home, target the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, reduction of carer burden, and improved well-being and relationship quality.”
Research has shown that both reading and music can be powerful tools for helping to stimulate memories and reminiscence, and to improve wellbeing and care.
Sharing in music or reading helps to create moments of meaningful connection between a person living with dementia and their loved ones.
Science reveals that the part of the brain that stores long term memory of music is quite protected from dementia, and as such, it is common to see people even in the later stages of the disease, able to sing song lyrics and recite poetry.
Reflecting on how participation in HOMESIDE helped Beth in her role as carer for her mum, Alice, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 16 years ago, Beth shared that she now sees music “as a tool for treatment for mum.
“It calms my mum… and you can have a conversation after she sings a song that she knows the words to. You know, inside it makes her so happy,” she said.
For Mary and David, the HOMESIDE reading training offered a welcome activity to fill some time when COVID-19 limited their usually active and social weeks.
Mary recalls reading things with David that prompted lengthy reminiscence about towns they had holidayed to in the past.
“I think just spending that good quality time together, it gave us some things to talk about,” Mary said.
The HOMESIDE study offers free telehealth training with either a registered music therapist or occupational therapist.
The study is currently recruiting family caregivers and people living with dementia who still live at home in Australia and have access to the internet and a device such as an iPad, laptop, computer, smartphone, with which
to communicate online with the research team. Support is also available for anyone who has a device but isn’t too confident using it!
Due for completion at the end of 2022, the trial has already recruited 144 families, with 44 families having completed the program in its entirety already.
To learn more and register your interest to participate in HOMESIDE, please visit the study website: www.homesidestudy.eu/australia
