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Health

Dementia program uses art and music to keep participants interested

Olwyn Walker is the oldest participant at the Creative Solutions dementia program. (Supplied: Elizabeth Thair)

Olwyn Walker is desperate for more of a pilot dementia program that's mix of art, music and movement kept her coming back.

New to Denmark, Ms Walker wanted to join the Creative Solutions program as a way of getting to know people.

Ms Walker said the sessions provided at her aged care facility were not as exciting.

"The group sessions, I find very boring," Ms Walker said.

"I felt much happier and welcome (at Creative Solutions)."

The new program ran weekly at Denmark Art Club, where for three hours participants engaged in exercises, sing-a-longs and drawings.

The sessions are designed to improve cognitive health. (ABC Great Southern: Olivia Di Iorio)

Ms Walker, who is in her 90s, was one of at least 10 who participated each week.

Ms Walker said looking at herself before and after the program was like comparing chalk and cheese.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute, I wouldn't miss it," she said.

Singing, dancing, drawing a relief

Ms Thair says participants go to other senior programs, but don't enjoy them. (Supplied: Elizabeth Thair)

Ms Walker said she was not the most talented singer but enjoyed joining in with the other participants.

 "I was singing rather tunelessly but joining in with all the old songs takes me back to my younger days," she said.

"I feel better after the exercise, it's what I needed."

Creative Solutions project lead Elizabeth Thair was tasked with bringing a dementia program to Denmark during her time as a support worker at the town's community resource centre.

Ms Thair saw a need for a dementia program given Denmark's aging demographic. (ABC Great Southern: Olivia Di Iorio)

"It took me six months," she said.

"I did my research and I found the best thing we could do is three pronged — music therapy, art expression and movement."

Ms Thair ran the program alongside volunteers and external facilitators.

Volunteer Susan Morley said the program differed from other programs because it was dementia specific.

"Whereas with a lot of other senior groups everyone is different, and those with dementia often don't want to bring it up if they see other participants don't appear to have any sort of evidence of dementia."

Ms Morley, who is studying dementia care, said art, music and movement were important for cognitive health.

"Whilst dementia can't be fixed, it can certainly be slowed down," she said.

Hopes program continues

The program wrapped at the end of June, and participants are desperate for it to continue.

"The most astounding thing is they go to other programs, but don't enjoy them."

The program is tailored to make people feel safe and welcome. (Supplied: Elizabeth Thair)

She said she wanted to continue the program.

"We need funding obviously and we're going out and talking to people about that," she said.

"I'm also going to go back and talk to providers again, I think it should be everywhere."

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