Playlist For Life: The charity helping to soothe difficulties of dementia

The simple joy of singing has an astonishing restorative effect on patients with Alzheimer’s.

One of Scotland’s top dementia experts Professor Terry Quinn is backing calls from television presenter Sally Magnusson to encourage families and carers to include singing and music in their arsenal against the devastating disease which affects 90,000 Scots.

Professor Quinn, of University of Glasgow, said: “Music brings joy and allows families and carers to reconnect with those with dementia. It costs nothing, and it is something we can all do to bring some happiness into the lives of those with dementia. I absolutely recommend it.”

Tonight, in a documentary, Alzheimer’s – A Cure And Me on BBC Scotland at 9pm and BBC iPlayer, journalist Sally reveals how she discovered the healing powers of music while caring for her beloved mother, Mamie, who died 12 years ago after developing Alzheimer’s.

Sally said: “Mum always had music in her life, but even when she was in the later stages of that awful disease and it was difficult to communicate, all I needed to do was whisper the first line of a favourite song and she would respond by singing.”

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Sally was so inspired by what she saw, she developed Playlist For Life and launched a charity to help others struggling to cope with the disease, which claimed her mum at the age of 87.

In the film, by Bafta winner Lorraine McKechnie of Finestripe Productions, Lilyburn Care Home in Kirkintilloch show music allowed them to reduce sedative medications in many patients by 60%.

Care home manager Clare Selbie said: “We began by asking residents to tell us about their favourite songs and pieces of music, and what they meant to them. Using those, Playlist For Life helped us draw up a personal playlist for each resident. We were astonished by the results. The happiness it brought was uplifting. We now use music all the time. It’s wonderful something so simple can have such a beneficial effect.”

New drug Lecanemab attacks the build-up of amyloid proteins in the brain believed to cause Alzheimer’s. Treated before the disease takes hold, experts believe they may be able to prevent it developing.

But the cost of testing and the monitoring required along with the price of the drug can be up to £40,000 per patient.

NHS England has been told the treatment is too costly. Scotland’s drug watchdog, the Scottish Medicines Consortium, have still to make a ruling.

www.playlistforlife.org.uk