🎵🧠 Tunes, Bingo & Big Smiles at Golau Caredig!

At CwmpasOT, we know that meaningful activity has the power to lift moods, build community, and support wellbeing—and today’s musical bingo session at Golau Caredig was a perfect example of this in action!

We welcomed eight residents and three brilliant staff members to join us for a fun, nostalgic afternoon of music, movement, and memory. The theme? Hits from the 1980s! 🎤🎶 Participants listened to short clips of popular songs and matched them to their bingo sheets. There was laughter, concentration, and even a bit of dancing in chairs as the tunes brought back memories and sparked conversation.

From the moment we began, we saw the group’s energy lift. Some participants were singing along confidently, others smiled quietly as they recognised a tune, and one lovely lady joined us on her birthday, adding to the special atmosphere. Everyone found their own way to engage—some through listening, some through movement, others through reminiscing. A few had such impressive music knowledge that we half-expected them to host the next quiz!

🎶 Why Musical Bingo?

Music is more than just entertainment. It plays a powerful role in activating parts of the brain responsible for memory, emotion, attention, and movement—especially in older adults and people living with dementia (Särkämö et al., 2014). Musical bingo combines cognitive stimulation with sensory engagement and social interaction, offering multiple therapeutic benefits in one session.

Research shows that music can:

• Stimulate long-term memory and support reminiscence (van der Steen et al., 2017)

• Improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety, apathy, and agitation (Raglio et al., 2015)

• Encourage movement and physical expression, even in seated positions (Clair & Bernstein, 1990)

• Strengthen social bonds and enhance group cohesion (Creech et al., 2013)

  
  

🧠💙 Why We Do This Work

As occupational therapists, we focus on the therapeutic use of activity—helping people to stay connected, express themselves, and live life meaningfully. Sessions like this may look simple, but they hold real clinical value. They’re not just enjoyable—they help people stay well, stay social, and stay confident.

References:

• Clair, A. A., & Bernstein, B. (1990). A comparison of singing, vibrotactile, and nonvibrotactile instrumental playing responses in severely regressed persons with dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. Journal of Music Therapy, 27(3), 119–125.

• Creech, A., Hallam, S., Varvarigou, M., & McQueen, H. (2013). Active music making: A route to enhanced subjective well-being among older people. Perspectives in Public Health, 133(1), 36–43.

• McDermott, O., Orrell, M., & Ridder, H. M. (2013). The importance of music for people with dementia: The perspectives of people with dementia, family carers, staff and music therapists. Aging & Mental Health, 18(6), 706–716.

• Raglio, A., Filippi, S., Bellandi, D., & Stramba-Badiale, M. (2015). Global music approach to persons with dementia: Evidence and practice. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 10, 1049–1054.

• Särkämö, T., Tervaniemi, M., Laiti

  nen, S., Forsblom, A., Soinila, S., Mikkonen, M., ... & Hietanen, M. (2014). Cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of regular musical activities in early dementia: Randomized controlled study. The Gerontologist, 54(4), 634–650.

• van der Steen, J. T., Smaling, H. J., van der Wouden, J. C., Bruinsma, M. S., Scholten, R. J., & Vink, A. C. (2017). Music-based therapeutic interventions for people with dementia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5).