Silver Memories | Benefits of our specialised music service

A specialised nostalgia music & visual service providing reminiscence music therapy for the aged.

Benefits of Silver Memories. Our unique radio service takes our listeners on a trip down memory lane so they can recall treasured memories from the past. Through the power of music reminiscence therapy, we create endearing experiences for those living with dementia.

Silver Memories operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and plays cheerful and calming music from the 1940s to the 1970s. Our caring announcers engage with listeners through daily birthday and cheerio calls, creating social connectedness. Silver Memories service includes monthly concerts and events, as well as a fully integrated lifestyle program. The program is accompanied by over 6000 quality images for leisurely armchair travel that complements the listeners’ reminiscence experience, totally ad-free with no disruption. Winner of the 2022 Pro Bono Impact 25 Award.

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For Residents

Our unique radio service takes our listeners on a trip down memory lane so they can recall treasured memories from the past. Through the power of music reminiscence therapy, we create endearing experiences for people living in aged care and those living with dementia. The clinical benefits of our program have been proven in research, showing significant improvements in well-being, morale and quality of life.

For Families

Is your parent or loved one living in aged care, or are you preparing to make the decision about which home is right for them? We believe wholeheartedly in the power of music to bring happiness and comfort to the elderly. It improves quality of life, increases engagement, fulfils spiritual needs, lifts mood whilst calming and soothing their emotions, so you can spend more time with them whilst knowing they are receiving the best care possible.

For Care Staff

Silver Memories radio is a comprehensive tool to help you in your therapy practice. It is based on Reminiscence Therapy principles and backed by evidence-based research. An essential feature of Silver Memories is its availability for all residents, an important factor in enhancing social engagement and group participation.

Much more than a broadcast service, the installation of Silver Memories comes with a collection of resources to accompany the programming, making activities planning that much easier. You will also join a community of diversional therapists and activities coordinators who have already discovered the benefits of Silver Memories for themselves and see improvements in the wellbeing and happiness of residents in their care.

For Managers

Silver Memories is a proven non-pharmacological tool for the management of dementia and related issues. Once installed in your premises, it is available to all residents 24/7 days a week. No additional devices are required, and no infection control is needed. Staff and carers in homes where Silver Memories is installed report benefits such as a reduction in their stress and a significant time saving due to the resources provided. The addition of Silver Memories to the lives of your residents also means that all areas of continuous improvement for accreditation are covered.

Proven Clinical Studies:

Silver Memories’ clinical benefits have been proven in three research projects.

Reminiscence Therapy stimulates memories, helping seniors living with dementia feel valued, peaceful and calm through recalling happy times from their past. By playing their favourite music from 1940s-1970s, it awakens emotions and feelings from past experiences. There is a large amount of research proving the positive effects of music on the brain and the role of music reminiscence therapy in the management of dementia. Silver Memories has been the subject of several of these research projects.

Results included significant

improvements in:

Cohen Mansfield Agitation

Inventory Scores for:

Links to Research:

Summary PDF of Department of Health Research Project 2018

Full Research Report of Department of Health Research Project

University of QLD

Gary Thorpe OAM, Churchill Fellowship

“Silver Memories is uplifting, motivates & has a calming effect on residents...”

“The feedback we have received indicates that Silver Memories is uplifting and motivates people and also has a calming effect on residents. In particular, it has been reported that listening to Silver Memories has a calming effect on residents with dementia and reduces agitation.”

– Dr Catherine Travers. Australasian Centre on Ageing. The University of Queensland

“I can still see my husband with his mum enjoying the music of her childhood; even though she couldn’t speak, she knew he was there with her, listening. Every aged-care establishment in Australia should have this. If you have a family member in aged care, ask the staff whether they have Silver Memories; if they don’t, ask why.”

– Dianne Anderson from Clear Mountain wrote this letter to The Courier Mail, published on 6/4/2019