Memory Nurture

12/04/2026

🎶 Music Therapy & Dementia Care 🎶

A recent article from the Journal of Dementia Care highlights the powerful impact of music therapy interventions for people living with dementia.

Music therapy is a "purposeful, evidence-based practice delivered by trained professionals", and its benefits are wide-reaching. Research shows it can help improve mood, support memory and cognition, and reduce anxiety, depression, and agitation.

Therapists may use a range of approaches, including:
🎵 Singing and playing instruments
🎵 Songwriting and improvisation
🎵 Guided music listening and relaxation

These interventions don’t just engage the brain; they tap into emotion, identity, and connection. Music can trigger meaningful memories, support communication, and create shared moments between individuals, families, and carers.

Importantly, music therapy should be delivered by qualified professionals who understand both the benefits and the potential emotional impact music can have.

💙 This research reinforces what many already see every day, music has the power to reach people in ways that words sometimes cannot.

💙 This research reinforces what many already see every day: music has the power to reach people in ways that words sometimes cannot.

The Australian Journal of Dementia Care (AJDC) is a multidisciplinary journal for all professional staff working with people with dementia in residential aged care homes, hospitals, day units and the community.

11/04/2026

💙 World Parkinson’s Day 💙

Today, we come together to raise awareness, show support, and stand alongside those living with Parkinson’s.

This year’s theme, focuses on bridging the care gap and enhancing support, highlights an important truth, too many people affected by Parkinson’s still face barriers to timely care, access to services, and ongoing support.

Parkinson’s doesn’t just impact movement, it affects daily life, independence, and well-being. That’s why it’s so important we work together to:
✨ Improve access to allied health and specialist care
✨ Support caregivers and families
✨ Increase community understanding and inclusion
✨ Advocate for better resources and services

Every step toward better support makes a meaningful difference. Whether it’s raising awareness, sharing knowledge, or simply checking in on someone, we all have a role to play.

Let’s continue to build a community where no one living with Parkinson’s feels alone. 💙

10/04/2026

🎶 World Music Therapy Week 🎶

This week, we celebrate the powerful role music plays in supporting health, wellbeing, and connection.

Music therapy is more than just listening to your favourite songs, it’s an evidence-based practice that can help improve mood, reduce anxiety, support communication, and enhance quality of life. For people living with dementia, neurological conditions, or mental health challenges, music can unlock memories, spark joy, and create meaningful moments of connection.

Whether it’s singing, playing an instrument, or simply sharing a familiar tune, music has the ability to reach us in ways words sometimes can’t.

Let’s take a moment this week to appreciate the therapists, carers, and individuals who use music to heal, connect, and inspire 💙

08/04/2026

Natural light plays a powerful role in supporting the well-being of people living with dementia. 🌿☀️

Exposure to natural light helps regulate the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm), which can improve sleep patterns, reduce agitation, and support overall mood. For people with dementia, this can mean fewer “sundowning” behaviours, better daytime alertness, and a greater sense of calm.

Simple ways to increase natural light:
✨ Open curtains and blinds during the day
✨ Spend time outdoors in the morning or early afternoon
✨ Sit near windows in well-lit spaces
✨ Create safe, comfortable outdoor areas for fresh air and sunshine

Natural light can also help with orientation—making it easier to distinguish between day and night, which is often confusing for those living with dementia.

Small environmental changes can make a big difference. Supporting access to natural light is a simple, effective way to enhance quality of life, comfort, and connection to the world around us 💛

07/04/2026

🌍💙 Happy World Health Day!

Today, we stand with science — because science transforms lives.

Thanks to ongoing research and innovation, dementia care has come a long way. From earlier diagnosis and better understanding of brain health, to improved treatments, therapies, and person-centred care, science is helping people live with dignity, connection, and support.

It’s not just about medicine. Science has shaped how we communicate, design supportive environments, and empower families and caregivers every day.

On this World Health Day, let’s recognise the vital role of science in improving dementia care and commit to supporting research that brings hope for the future.

Together, we stand with science. 🧠💚

05/04/2026

Wishing all our clients, staff and followers a safe and happy Easter!

04/04/2026

💛 The Power of Rituals in Dementia Care 💛

Rituals and traditions can be incredibly meaningful for people living with dementia. Even when memories fade, the feelings connected to familiar routines often remain.

Simple moments such as sharing a favourite meal, listening to a well-loved song, or keeping a daily routine, can bring comfort, reduce anxiety, and help someone feel safe and connected.

Rituals also support a sense of identity and belonging, reminding a person of who they are through culture, family, and shared experiences.

✨ Keep it simple
✨ Focus on familiar and meaningful activities
✨ Adapt traditions as needed
✨ Celebrate the moment, not the memory

It’s not about remembering every detail; it’s about creating moments that feel good.

03/04/2026

Easter is a time for connection, joy, and togetherness, and with a little thought and care, it can still be a meaningful and comforting experience for someone living with memory loss.

Here are a few simple tips to help make the day special:

🌼 Keep it simple
Avoid overwhelming plans. A quiet meal or small gathering can feel safer and more enjoyable.

🐰 Stick to familiar traditions
Favourite foods, music, or simple rituals can spark comfort and happy memories.

🧺 Create a calm environment
Limit noise and distractions to reduce confusion or anxiety.

🥚 Focus on the moment
Rather than correcting or reminding, gently go along with their reality and enjoy shared moments.

💛 Involve them in small ways
Decorating eggs, setting the table, or helping prepare food can give a sense of purpose and inclusion.

📸 Celebrate connection, not perfection
It’s okay if things don’t go to plan. What matters most is feeling safe, loved, and included.

Wishing everyone a gentle, joyful Easter filled with meaningful moments and connection. 🌷

02/04/2026

A great reminder that it is not about finding the perfect activity for those with dementia, but finding those that allow the person to express themselves without judgment or correction.

Activities that require right and wrong answers or certain skill levels can be difficult for people who are living with dementia. What works one day may not work the next. Instead, try creative activities that leave room for exploration.

01/04/2026

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month here in Australia 💙

It’s a time to shine a light on Parkinson’s disease, support those living with it, and recognise the strength of their families, carers, and communities. Parkinson’s affects more than just movement — it impacts everyday life in ways many people don’t see.

Let’s use this month to:
💙 Learn more about Parkinson’s
💙 Show kindness and understanding
💙 Support research and advocacy
💙 Stand with those affected

Every conversation helps raise awareness. Every bit of support makes a difference.

27/03/2026

💃 A powerful reminder that life doesn’t end with a diagnosis… it can take a new direction.

This moving story from The Guardian shares one person’s journey with Parkinson’s, from feeling like their life was over, to rediscovering purpose and joy through dance.

For many people living with Parkinson’s, symptoms can impact movement, confidence, and identity. But stories like this highlight something incredibly important: meaningful activities like dance can reconnect people with their bodies, boost mood, and create a sense of freedom again.

In fact, growing evidence shows that dance can help improve movement, balance, and well-being for people with Parkinson’s, while also offering social connection and joy.

✨ It’s a beautiful reminder that even in the face of challenge, new possibilities can emerge.

The moment I stepped into English National Ballet’s studio, I stopped being just a patient. Among fellow spirits, I have rediscovered my sense of joy and agency

26/03/2026

Great news to see Australia launching a National Parkinson's Action Plan

Yesterday, the National Parkinson’s Alliance officially launched Australia’s first National Parkinson’s Action Plan (NPAP) at Parliament House. This is a historic turning point for the 200,000+ Australians living with Parkinson’s, and every person affected by the disease.

This plan is the result of one of the most comprehensive community consultations ever undertaken in the Australian neurological sector. It reflects real voices and stories of everyday experience living with Parkinson’s, caring for a loved one, or working in the health and research sectors. We thank everyone in our Shake It Up community who contributed their insights to help shape this plan.

The NPAP has 6 key recommendations to create genuine change:
* Tackle stigma and improve awareness
* Strengthen strategies to prevent and delay the disease
* Improve accurate and timely diagnosis
* Better clinical care and treatment
* Build capacity and capability in healthcare
* Improve data and maximise research impact

Executive Director of the NPA, Richard Wylie, said, “The National Parkinson’s Action Plan is not just a document to be filed away by the Government; it is a blueprint for meaningful action. The NPA are ready to work side by side with all levels of Government, and the Health System more broadly, to ensure the recommendations of the NPAP are delivered efficiently and effectively”.

Shake It Up Australia is proud to be a founding member of the NPA, and to work collaboratively on this vital plan to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s – now and into the future. The launch was supported by advocates Emma Tinkler, who shared an important perspective on life with early-onset Parkinson’s, as well as supporters Andrew Urquhart, Noel Passalaqua and Matthew Duffy, who all joined us in 2024 to call for federal government funding to develop this plan.

You can view the plan in detail here: https://buff.ly/bonj9dD

Pictured: Mel East, Matthew Duffy, Clyde Campbell, Andrew Urquhart, Noel Passalaqua, Vicki Miller and Jackie Dalton