The Music as Therapy charity has just launched an international awareness campaign celebrating the remarkable ways music can improve lives and change people's approach to people suffering with dementia.

The charity which has over 20 years experience bringing music into the lives of vulnerable people in the UK and around the world believes in the power of music to make the most of people's potential, overcoming obstacles such as disability, trauma and mental illness.

Power and impact

Founder and Director Alexia Quin told 4BR: "We have launched the campaign to highlight as well as celebrate the power and impact music can have for every one of us."

The campaign coincides with the publishing of a new report following a Commission on Dementia & Music, by the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC) which recognised the wealth of evidence supporting the use of music to improve the lives of people living with dementia.

850,000 in UK

According to figures from the Alzheimer's Society, there are around 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK alone, with higher health and social care costs (£11.9bn) than cancer, stroke and chronic heart disease combined. It is anticipated there will be one million people living with dementia in the UK by 2025.

Alexia added: "This report clearly highlights the massive part music has to play in the care of people with dementia.

Not only is music adaptable for people with different forms of the disease, it has no known negative impacts, especially when compared to the use of anti-psychotic medications.

By focusing on the positive message of 'Music Can', we hope this campaign will help raise awareness of the potential for music to change the way we care."

This report clearly highlights the massive part music has to play in the care of people with dementiaAlexia Quin

Short films

As part of the campaign, the charity are sharing a collection of short films demonstrating the effect music can have on improving care.

Go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bErRsssKRtI

They are also encouraging the general public to get involved under the #MusicCan hashtag and share their own poersonal thoughts and feelings on what music can do for them.

For more information go to: www.musicastherapy.org