Casio, Music For Dementia and MHA launch Light Up My Life to bring music into care homes
The research initiative will provide 50 LK-S250 keyboards and explore how music can positively impact people living with dementia
Following World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September, Casio Music UK, Music For Dementia and charitable care provider MHA have teamed up to launch the Light Up My Life initiative. The scheme will explore the link between music and dementia and deliver 50 LK-S250 keyboards to UK care homes.
Light Up My Life will see care homes participate in a 12-week study, with participants having access to music participation and support. The goal is to improve the quality of life for dementia patients, as well as to better understand music’s role in dementia and help shape the future of musical accessibility for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Casio will be sending the 50 LK-S250 keyboards to care home managers, staff and music therapists from the end of September. Along with the instruments, the initiative will also provide detailed training to carers and therapists, including easy-to-follow piano lessons, musical activities, an overview of the keyboard’s features and more.
Once the 12-week research period is over, Casio, MHA, and Music For Dementia hope that the findings will show how musical activity can support those living with dementia. The organisations say that “these learnings will help to develop and tailor a unique musical offering with supporting resources to improve access to music participation and care.”
The initiative is already gaining support from the industry, with BBC Radio 6’s Lauren Laverne – also a Music For Dementia ambassador – said: “The Light Up My Life campaign is a really exciting project. Music has the power of improving the wellbeing of people living with dementia and I believe the campaign could help enable them to feel independent once again”
Casio says the LK-S250 has been chosen due to its “fun, light-up key feature which provides heightened stimulation, resulting in the pleasure and satisfaction of anyone being able to play music independently.” In addition to the lightweight keyboard, Casio will be providing an adjustable stand and headphones.
The findings of the research are set to be revealed in early 2022. For more information, head to info.casio.co.uk.
