Cornwall Care Residents Enjoy Drum Therapy

Residents across Cornwall Care’s residential and nursing homes regularly enjoy various activities and events, but musical therapy sessions are by far the favourite.

Drums Up, founded by Paul Vermette, music facilitator, provides interactive rhythm therapy sessions. Using instruments such as drums and tambourines, Paul engages residents, helping them to build confidence and self-esteem, as well as promoting health and well-being. Paul is passionate about offering people the opportunity for more than just fun; he helps them to “become more of who they are”.

Paul’s interactive rhythm therapy sessions are a massive hit across Cornwall Care’s homes and have been a great success in the wider community as well. He is now training new facilitators to grow the business and provide the therapy further afield.

Recently, Paul has visited residents at Woodland in St Austell and Trewartha in Carbis Bay, but he has also made regular appearances across Cornwall Care’s other homes as well. Residents often describe him as an entertainer, but what he does is much more therapeutic than that. The drumming aids communication and can particularly help people with dementia to connect with their bodies and the people around them. It can help them to focus, ‘lighting their faces with smiles and joy’.

“We have Paul at Woodland once every three months as he is so stimulating,” says Lisa Flowers, Manager at Woodland. “Our residents all thoroughly look forward to his performances. By the end of the last session we had, every member of staff, visitor and resident that was able was up on their feet dancing!”

The lady pictured holding the tambourine on her head struggles with communication, but the musical therapy of Drums Up allows her to express herself and participate in an activity that she would usually find very difficult to understand.