A CARE home in Ilkley brought a moment of joy to its residents with dementia by holding an open music therapy session.

MHA Glen Rosa offers music therapy as part of its mission to boost residents’ quality of life even during the most advanced stages of the condition.

This event took place as part of MHA’s national My Moment of Joy campaign.

Music can alleviate symptoms such as agitation, depression and frustration, unlocking ‘lost’ memories and reconnecting with loved ones. It lifts the fog which dementia creates.

The residents joined the in-house music therapist, Ella Cross, along with family members, staff and guests from the community.

Those that rarely speak were soon singing along and others were shaking their maracas or tambourines to the beat.

While some reactions are much harder to see, many tapped their feet with a smile on their face.

Music therapist Ella Cross said "Being a music therapist at MHA and working with people who have dementia is a little like being a detective at first – finding out who someone was, who they are now, what they did in life and what made them happy.

"We need to gather all of this information to find out what kind of music they would respond to best.

"Used in the right way, music can access a person, their memories and their spirit – even when words alone cannot. Music therapy provides true, unique moments of joy."