Brightwater music and wellbeing coordinator Hayley Antipas ready to groove and showcasing some of the instruments that will be used at the upcoming Jam Sessions.
Camera IconBrightwater music and wellbeing coordinator Hayley Antipas ready to groove and showcasing some of the instruments that will be used at the upcoming Jam Sessions. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Brightwater launches music pharmacy at Currambine Community Centre

Staff WriterJoondalup Times

A PHARMACY that dispenses groove rather than medication has opened in Currambine.

Brightwater launched a ‘music pharmacy’ with a series of activities designed for older people living with dementia and Parkinson’s disease and accessible to anyone over 65 with enthusiasm for music.

Weekly jam sessions at Currambine Community Centre on Thursdays from 1pm are open to seniors who are eager to sing, strum and drum.

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The classes cost $28 per session and will be led by professional musicians.

Brightwater will also run a program that enables people living at home to experience and use the reverie harp, an instrument known for its multi-sensory, meditative properties and to help decrease feelings of depression and anxiety.

The instrument is tuned in such a way that users don’t need any musical skill or talent to produce warm and appealing harp sounds.

For $60 a week, program participants can take a reverie harp home for the term as well as attend a weekly class guided by a professional harpist on Mondays from 1pm.

Music and wellbeing coordinator Hayley Antipa is a classically trained musician who has worked in aged care for several years and is excited to be bringing the classes to the northern suburbs.

“Our brains just love music,” she said.

“Countless studies have shown how it triggers so many different reactions, and how it can make us feel good – and those benefits can also be experienced by people with dementia or other cognitive issues.

“Music is a really fantastic way to help people to reconnect with family and friends as well as the environment around them.

“It can also induce relaxation, reduce stress and improve sleep – so we really can’t wait to start dispensing groove and making music more accessible in the local area.”

Brightwater provides in-home care in the northern suburbs, and its music-based programs are open to anyone interested in experiencing the benefits of music, with the first class free.

A caregiver can attend alongside the participant at no additional cost.

To register, call 9400 8700 or visit http://bit.ly/themusicpharmacy.