Lorna Vickers and Susi Delamont – Recreational Activities Officer

It’s sad but true that many of us have a drawer full of technology we no longer use, but is ‘too good to throw away’.

If you’ve got an ipod shuffle in that drawer, then the opportunity has come to donate it to Blue Haven to be used in their Personalised Music Program for their residents with dementia.

Each ipod will be loaded with an individual’s favourite music, enhancing mood with happy memories.

Residents using the program so far have shown a wide variety of musical tastes. Most popular are Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Edith Piaf, The Beatles, Peter Allen, Simon & Garfunkel, Elvis and Neil Diamond, as well as show tunes, hymns and classical.

Recreational Activities Officer Francine Golding says the iPod shuffles are ideal for the purpose as they are small and easy to use, however they are no longer being manufactured by Apple and are not available.

“We’re asking people who have moved on to bigger iPods or who now use their phones to donate their ‘shuffles’ to the program.”

As well as proving popular, the Personal Music Program taps into the health benefits of listening to music.

“Music therapy has been used in recent years to help with a range of conditions, including autism and depression. It has also been found to reduce symptoms of dementia such as agitation, improving moods and behaviour.”

Details: Take your ipods donations to Blue Haven, 2 Havilah Place, Kiama