Knowles Court Care Home shares how personalised music has contributed to a more positive quality of life for a resident with dementia

Knowles Court Care Home is pleased to share how they have harnessed the power of music to support a resident in their care.

Geoff (name changed to protect the resident’s identity), has been a resident living at Knowles Court since November 2023. He has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, which results in him having periods of extreme agitation and distress, and which on occasion has led to him being at risk of harm to himself and others.

The team on Headley Unit at Knowles Court, led by Unit Manager Hannah Bottomley and supported by Amelia Greenwood, Regional Quality Nurse have been working with the local Advanced Clinical Practitioner Dementia Lead from the Older People’s Mental Health Services to ensure that Geoff received the most appropriate medication and  one-to-one care tailored to his unique needs.

Around this time, Knowles Court learned about the Purple Angels MP3 Player Project, an initiative with a record of supporting individuals with dementia through personalised music . Founded by Norman “Norrms” McNamara of Torbay, Devon, who was diagnosed with dementia at age 50, Purple Angels aims to shift public perceptions of dementia while also offering practical support to those affected by the condition. In a move to ease agitation and feelings of anxiety, each resident receives a bespoke MP3 player with a personalised playlist of 15 favourite songs, which have meaning for an individual.  Research shows that musical memories are often retained far longer than other types of memories, making music a profound and accessible tool for bringing calm and joy to individuals with dementia [Oxford Academic, Journal Article June 2015].

“We found out that Geoff has always been passionate about 1970s rock music, especially the band Queen,” shares Hannah Bottomley. “After hearing about Purple Angels, we thought a customised playlist could be an ideal way to help him connect with cherished memories. We reached out to ‘Norrms’ at Purple Angels, and they provided us with an MP3 player tailored to Geoff’s love of rock music.”

Hannah recalls, “From the very first time he used his MP3 player, the difference was astounding. You can see in Geoff’s eyes as soon as his MP3 starts playing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’—a smile and sense of calm washes over him. It’s been so uplifting to see how a personalised playlist has significantly contributed to improving his quality of life, sense of well-being, and overall contentment.”

As Geoff’s journey continues, the team at Knowles Court remains grateful to Purple Angels and founder Norman McNamara for this innovative approach to dementia care. By bringing joy and familiarity into residents’ lives through music, Knowles Court and Purple Angels are creating moments that truly matter.