Integrating music into dementia care
Parallel 3
17 November, 2026 5:00 – 6:10 pmVoices, Verse and Melody: Creativity in Dementia Care
Douglas is Strategic Direct , Music In Health at Live Music Now, leading the national programme of live music in health, community and care settings. This was cited in the 2023 Creative Health Review as a model of good practice. He collaborates with sector partners including care providers, the National Care Forum, Care England, the National Activities Providers Association. He regularly presents at events and conferences and gave expert evidence to the APPG on Arts Health and Wellbeing. He led the Live Music In Care Study team with the University of Winchester, and care providers. He also works with Drake Music and Hear Me Out, and is a DJ and radio host.
Dr Fiona Costa’s music training at the Royal College of Music has led to several different areas of interest. Following the completion of her PhD, which explored how music can mitigate pain, depression and anxiety in older people living in residential care, she became an honorary research fellow at the University of Roehampton. Her most recent work is in collaboration with Professor Adam Ockelford and focuses on how music can help with maintaining memory and the ability to communicate in people with dementia. They have co-authored Take Note: 100 Everyday Musical Ideas for Carers to Use with Older People.
Fiona is also interested in drawing people of all ages together in local communities. She organises monthly intergenerational concerts at St Paul’s, Hammersmith which are attended by babies, toddlers, school children and adults of all ages, including residents of the local care home.
Fiona Costa
Honorary Research Fellow, University of Roehampton.
University of Roehampton.
Dr Fiona Costa’s music training at the Royal College of Music has led to several different areas of interest. Following the completion of her PhD, which explored how music can mitigate pain, depression and anxiety in older people living in residential care, she became an honorary research fellow at the University of Roehampton. Her most recent work is in collaboration with Professor Adam Ockelford and focuses on how music can help with maintaining memory and the ability to communicate in people with dementia. They have co-authored Take Note: 100 Everyday Musical Ideas for Carers to Use with Older People.
Fiona is also interested in drawing people of all ages together in local communities. She organises monthly intergenerational concerts at St Paul’s, Hammersmith which are attended by babies, toddlers, school children and adults of all ages, including residents of the local care home.
Summary
This 70-minute interactive workshop introduces Live Music Now’s Live Music in Care model, equipping professional and unpaid carers to use accessible, person-centred music-making in dementia care.
Participants will explore evidence, the Take Note resources (University of Roehampton) , real-world experiences, and evaluation outcomes, gaining confidence, ideas, and tools to embed meaningful musical interaction in everyday care.