Music from Their Era
Choose music from the person's younger years — the era they grew up in or music they have mentioned enjoying. Play it gently in the background or sit together and listen. There is no requirement to sing, move or respond in any particular way.
Best Time
Any time of day. Often works well during quieter periods, after a meal or when the person seems unsettled.
Duration
15–30 minutes
Setting
Lounge, bedroom or quiet area
What You'll Need
- A device to play music (phone, speaker, tablet or CD player)
- A playlist or selection of music from the person's era
- A comfortable, quiet space
Preparation
- Find out what music the person has enjoyed — ask family members if needed
- Prepare a short playlist in advance so you are not searching during the activity
- Keep the volume comfortable — not too loud
How to Do It
- 1Settle the person comfortably and let them know you are going to play some music
- 2Start the music gently and sit with them if possible
- 3Allow the music to play without pressure to respond
- 4If they begin to hum, sing or move, follow their lead
- 5If they want to talk about a song or memory, listen and engage
- 6If they seem disengaged or uncomfortable, change the music or end the activity
Adapt It
- For someone with limited movement: focus on listening and gentle hand-holding rather than movement
- For someone who is hard of hearing: use a speaker placed closer to them or headphones if comfortable
- For someone who becomes distressed: have a calming alternative ready and switch without drawing attention to the change
- For someone with limited verbal communication: watch for non-verbal responses such as facial expression, eye movement or changes in posture
What to Notice
Observe verbal and non-verbal responses — attention, movement, conversation, recognition, relaxation, curiosity, withdrawal, choice, initiation or other individual responses.
- Does the person recognise any of the music?
- Do they hum, sing or move in response?
- Do they make eye contact or seem more present?
- Do they mention a memory or person connected to a song?
- Do they seem more relaxed, more alert or more engaged than before?
- Is there a particular song or style that seems to matter more than others?
PMEE Reflection
These questions are not about scoring whether the activity was successful. They are about noticing and retaining what you observed about this person's individual response.
- 1What seemed to matter to this person?
- 2What response did I notice?
- 3What could I remember and use next time?
Avoid assuming that smiling, participating or completing an activity automatically means it was meaningful. Equally, do not assume that someone who cannot actively participate has not engaged with the experience.