A Guide to Music Therapy at Birling House and Frindsbury House

The Mortimer Society offers Music Therapy to our residents in both homes on a weekly basis.  It plays a very important role by encouraging people to involve themselves socially with their peers, sharing memories invoked and guided by the therapist.

During the sessions gentle exercise is encouraged through the use of hand held percussion instruments, this can aid and help dexterity and hand eye coordination.  The sessions are led by Neil Frost music therapist from Musik Matters.  Neil has been carrying out music therapy in both homes for many years and knows all our residents.  

Another important aspect in relation to Huntington's disease is the encouragement of vocal interactions through discussion and singing, motivating the service user to vocalise and sustain word formation and vocal involvement.  There is some evidence to suggest that singing can also help maintain vocal control and help the muscles that are also used in swallowing, which are effected by the disease.

The increased feelings of wellbeing and shared enjoyment is also good for raising self-esteem and promotes general happiness.  Regular social events where music is the focus are also used in both homes and form the knowledge gained in the music therapy groups.  This provides a more personalised experience where individual's favourite songs are remembered and played.

Music Matters has worked with the service users at the Mortimer Society for over twenty years and it has been a real privilege witnessing the benefits that music has made.