‘Music is the universal language of mankind’ – unknown

Many of you will know that this Sunday, 21st June, is winter solstice. However, you may not realise that it’s also WORLD MUSIC DAY!

Music can provide comfort and relief for the elderly, by increasing relaxation, aiding memory recall and even helping with cognitive abilities such as improved speech.

We felt that after the uncertainty of the past few months we could all use an excuse to get down and boogie with our loved ones, so to inspire some updates to your home playlist we’ve compiled a list of our favourite music here at The Richardson.

Classical Masters

Whether you have a good understanding of Classical music or not, you will no doubt recognise the names Beethoven, Bach, Vivaldi and Chopin. That being said, developing a deeper knowledge of these masters and their music can be a daunting task. Tune into ABC Classic to broaden your classical repertoire or subscribe to Australia’s Limelight Magazine for all things Classical Music and Arts.

At The Richardson our residents enjoy the monthly ‘Masters of Music’ session where we get up close and personal with different classical composers, listening to their greatest works and learning about their life behind the music.

The 60’s, 70’s and Beyond

Arguably the swiftest expansion of music took place in the 60s and 70s when rock and pop exploded onto the mainstream music scene. Any music streaming service has a plethora of playlists dedicated to these golden decades. However, if you want to step a little further back in time this weekend tune in to Perth’s community radio station RTR 92.1FM on Sunday from 6am – 9am for their program ‘Nostalgia’ easy listening music from the 40s, 50s and 60s – with a bit on each side. Of course it’s always best to get music recommendations first-hand and we strongly suggest using World Music Day as an excuse to connect with your elderly loved ones and share in their beloved music memories.

During COVID-19 we introduced ‘Musos’ to our lifestyle calendar. Looking at the life and music of more contemporary musicians, this activity has become a favourite for our baby boomer residents, transferring many of them back to a time when they were screaming teenagers in love with a pop icon. This is a session that brings people to their feet, dancing & singing to the music of their youth.

Opera

It’s not for everyone, but watching famous Operas in the comfort of our theatre room is a very popular pastime at The Richardson and we highly recommend giving it a go. Current restrictions mean we can’t buy tickets to a live opera this weekend, however, the West Australian Opera have an exciting digital program that is perfect for the cold wintery days ahead.

Sing-a-long

Last, but definitely not least, to celebrate World Music Day why not organise a Karaoke session with your nearest and dearest? At The Richardson many of our residents catch up weekly to sing a few tunes together. We know music and singing may improve a person’s mental well-being and the smiling faces at the end of each session affirm this.

These days there are plenty of Karaoke Apps available and Karafun is top of the list – for a small fee you can enjoy a 2 day unlimited music party pass – perfect for the weekend! So dress up, get down and boogie! If you can’t all be in the same room together, singing your loved one’s favourite ballad over a voice or video call will ensure there isn’t a dry eye left in the room.

Happy World Music Day – keep listening!

If you require support or wish to speak to someone about your situation or that of a loved one, please don’t hesitate to contact us on (08) 9381 2800.