Jersey musicians, carers, health professionals and people living with Parkinson’s have taken part in a training day aimed at improving the use of music and singing to support those with the condition.
The session was hosted by local charity Aureole Music on Saturday 19 September and delivered by UK charity Sing to Beat Parkinson’s, which specialises in training practitioners who run music groups for people with Parkinson’s.
Those attending came from a range of backgrounds, including care-home activity coordinators, musicians, speech and language therapists, charity representatives, carers and people living with Parkinson’s.
The training explored the ways music and singing can support wellbeing, as well as the effects Parkinson’s can have on the brain, speech and communication.
Participants also looked at ways musical activities could help address some of the challenges associated with the progressive neurological condition.
The organisers said the day combined singing, rhythm, games, conversation and movement, alongside advice from speech and language professionals.
Aureole Music runs the Sparky Parkies group in collaboration with Parkinson’s Jersey.
The group combines speech exercises, conversation, games and singing, and is intended to support people living with Parkinson’s.
The charity said not everyone attending considers themselves a singer.
“You don’t have to be a singer to join the Sparky Parkies, but you might accidentally become one while you’re there!”
The training comes as Jersey’s population is expected to age significantly over the coming decades. The Public Health Jersey Disease Projection Report projects that people aged over 65 will make up 25% of the island’s population by 2043.
Age is the primary risk factor for Parkinson’s, meaning the number of local diagnoses is expected to rise alongside the ageing population.
Other age-related neurological conditions are also projected to increase, with dementia expected to rise by 52% in Jersey over the next two decades.
Sing to Beat Parkinson’s shared its latest research and experience during the training, with participants considering how structured musical activities can be adapted to the needs of people living with the condition.
