Commission on Dementia and Music

Call for Written Evidence

Introduction to the Commission on Dementia and Music

A Commission on Dementia and Music has been set up to explore the current and potential role of music-based interventions in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and end of life care for people with dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to over one million by 2025. By 2051, it is estimated that this will have reached two million people. Currently in the UK, one in six people over the age of 80 have dementia, with 40,000 people under the age of 65 living with the disease. As such, an increased and sustained public and policy focus on dementia is crucial.

Music-based interventions cover a wide range of activity, from music therapy in either an individual or group capacity, to volunteer-run choirs, orchestral performances, and apps permitting individuals with dementia to engage with music, such as by designing personalised playlists. These activities can take place in many locations, from care homes to community centres, religious venues to individuals’ homes. The breadth and flexibility of music-based interventions means that they can be built into an individual’s personalised care plan and can often be tailored according to their preferences and needs.

Purpose of this Call for Written Evidence

This call for written evidence forms one critical element of the Commission’s work. We are asking for the submission of written evidence from individuals and organisations active in the field, to help ILC-UK and the Commission to engage with as many opinions and insights as possible. The materials provided through this call will be used to help guide and frame the Commission’s work and the final report being written by ILC-UK.

We are very keen to engage with as many perspectives as possible, as the Commission aims to take an inclusive approach to the range of activity in the field. We would therefore be delighted if you would be interested in participating. Please note that, given the very large number of organisations being approached through this call for evidence, we are not able to guarantee that written evidence shared with ILC-UK and the Commission will necessarily be published.

Introduction to the International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC-UK)

ILC-UK is a think tank focussed on some of the biggest challenges facing Government and society in the context of demographic change. Much of our work is directed at the highest

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levels of Government and the civil service, both in London and Brussels. We have a reputation as a respected think tank which works, often with key partners, to inform important decision-making processes.

ILC-UK is acting as the secretariat for the Commission on Dementia and Music and will be writing, publishing and launching a report summarising the Commission’s work and developing recommendations for this field of work moving forwards.

Responding to this Call

Please feel free to answer as many of the following questions as you feel are applicable to you individually and/or to your organisation. We have included a word count for each question and we would be very grateful if respondents could please observe this.

Please feel free to respond directly into this template and return responses via email to dementia@ilcuk.org.uk.

Please note that the deadline for responses is Friday 1 September 2017. ILC-UK and the Commission on Dementia and Music would like to thank you in advance for your time and inputs.

1. What is the current ‘state of play’ of dementia and music?

1.1 What are the main strands of activity which fall within this broad field, and who are these activities being delivered by? [Max. 250 words]

1.2 How is this range of activity presently being funded? [Max. 250 words]

1.3 Are there regional differences in provision, within the UK? [Max. 250 words]

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1.4 What should we consider to be ‘best practice’ in the measurement of the outcomes and impacts of these activities? [Max. 250 words]

1.5 Is it possible to establish an average ‘unit’ costs for different kinds of activity, and how can we map cost against outcome? [Max. 250 words]

1.6 What are the main barriers to more extensive uptake of these activities? [Max. 250 words]

2. In which direction should the field of dementia and music be moving?

2.1 What are the main emerging opportunities in the field of dementia and music? [Max. 250 words]

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2.2 How do we overcome identified barriers to the more extensive uptake of dementia and music? [Max. 250 words]

2.3 Where do we still need to build evidence? [Max. 250 words]

2.4 How can/ should we align music interventions with other areas of work in the dementia space? [Max. 250 words]

2.5 Who should be taking this agenda forwards? [Max. 250 words]

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2.6 Who needs to be influenced and brought on board, to further this agenda? [Max. 250 words]

2.7 What should our one, clear message be? [Max. 100 words]

2.8 Do you have any final comments? [Max. 100 words]

3. Short biography

3.1 Short biography of yourself/your organisations [Max. 50 words]

Thank you again for your time, it is greatly appreciated

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