THE Stay Connected Activity Centre is hosting a free concert for people living with dementia and memory loss in the Port Stephens Community.
The concert will take place on October 23 at 10:30 am, and it will be located at the Centre in Shearwater Drive, Taylor’s Beach.
It will feature performances by John, who plays the piano and the ukulele, and Denis, who plays the piano, guitar, and mouth organ.
Maraya Fameli, Activity Centre Coordinator, said that the idea behind the concert came from wanting everyone who was struggling with memory loss to partake in community activities, even if they would not ordinarily be able to afford them.
“A lot of people call Activity Centres each week, and they’re waiting for their Support at Home packages to be finalised for them to be able to attend,” Ms Fameli said.
“You can privately pay the fees, but that’s not possible for everyone financially.”
Other than being fun, live music can offer an actual therapeutic effect to people living with dementia by elevating mood, bringing back happy memories, and promoting positive mental and physical health.
Ms. Fameli, who has worked in the dementia field for many years, said that the Centre in Port Stephens focused on fostering a sense of engagement and connection, with outings at art galleries, lunches, and Cycling without Age activities.
“We go out and about as a community, […] we encourage people to form friendships at the Centre,” she said.
With the nation’s ageing population, dementia care is more important than ever, and the field has progressed significantly. Innovations include interactive magic tables (called Tovertafel), noise-cancelling headphones for silent discos, and even tours in Virtual Reality.
However, the people that most need these services are often not aware of them.
“When they find us, a lot of people when say, ‘I didn’t realise you existed! We wish we knew earlier.’”
Ms Fameli encourages anyone who wishes to attend the concert to come along, and is hoping for a sizeable participation to bring the community even closer.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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