Doctor Tamplim is using therapeutic singing groups to support people living with dementia. Music is the glue that brings people together and it’s cementing and supporting existing relationships.
Doctor Jeanette Tamplin holds an NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellowship at the University of Melbourne and works as a music therapist at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre - Austin Health and Epworth Hospital.
Doctor Tamplim is a registered music therapist and researcher specialising in neurorehabilitation for people neurological injuries or conditions (including traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's, and dementia). She has 20 years clinical experience working as a music therapist in neurorehabilitation and her research in this area focuses on the therapeutic effects of singing, speech and language rehabilitation, therapeutic songwriting, and coping and adjustment following traumatic injury or illness.
Video transcript
[Music plays and an image of a Dr Jeanette Tamplin turning from side on to face the camera appears on screen]
Dr Jeanette Tamplin: I’m Doctor Jeanette Tamplin, NHMRC ARC Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne.
[Image changes to show Dr Jeanette Tamplin, University of Melbourne, seated and talking to the camera]
We’re using therapeutic singing groups to support people to live in the community with dementia,
[Image changes to show Dr Jeanette Tamplin seated and working on a laptop]
that’s a strategic priority of the government and we’re using our research to target and to really support people to live at home together for as long as they can.
[Image changes to show participants getting involved in a therapeutic singing group]
So we’re seeing a lot of great reminiscent that’s happening from the older songs that they’re doing,
[Image changes to show Dr Jeanette Tamplin, seated and talking to the camera and then moves back to show the therapeutic singing group]
but also lots of cognitive stimulation and building of self-esteem and confidence from learning new things and even having opportunities to perform sometimes, too.
[Images of the therapeutic singing group continue to play on screen]
So our program is funded by the NHMRC, which is fantastic!
[Image changes to show Dr Jeanette Tamplin, University of Melbourne, seated and talking to the camera]
It’s enabled us, so far, to run a pilot feasibility study,
[Image changes back to show the therapeutic singing group]
we are recruiting, at the moment, for a large randomised control trial, so we’re recruiting across Victoria and also in Tasmania.
[Image changes to show Dr Jeanette Tamplin, University of Melbourne, seated and talking to the camera]
Music is the glue that really is bringing people together and it’s developing new relationships and cementing and supporting existing relationships.
[Music plays and NHMRC logo appears on screen with text beside it: Building a Healthier Australia]
End of transcript.