The National Concert Hall, HSE Odin’s Wood Day Care Centre and New Cross College brought ‘Tea Dance Tunes – Dementia Friendly Concerts’ to New Cross College, Finglas on Monday 8th April 2019. HSE staff from Odin’s Day Care Centre, Sean Chara, Nethercross, St Mary’s Hospital, Beneavin Lodge and Manor and Carechoice Nursing Home along with clients and carers joined the students, their parents and teachers from New Cross College for an afternoon of music, demonstrating the positive impact music has on those with dementia.
Students from New Cross College under the leadership of Ms. Mairead O’Brien, Home School Community Liaison Teacher undertook an educational training session to build a generation of dementia friendly students. New Cross College can proudly say that all of their students now have a greater understanding of dementia.
Speaking about the event, Ms. Paula Bermingham, Manager, HSE Odin’s Wood Day Care Centre, thanked the National Concert Hall and the management, staff, students and parents of New Cross College “for the enthusiasm with which they greeted our proposal and embraced the idea of getting the students involved in the ‘Tea Dance Tunes’ and creating awareness around dementia.” The National Concert Hall hope to replicate the idea of intergeneration Tea Dance Tunes on the southside of the City.
Ms. Sandra Browne, Health Care Assistant, HSE Odin’s Wood Day Care Centre, said: ‘Music helps enhance the senses and recall for people with dementia. Music also has a positive impact on those with dementia and their carers.”
