Elderly Residents Enjoy an Afternoon of Musical Entertainment

To mark Positive Ageing Month, Downpatrick, Rowallane and Slieve Croob District Electoral Areas in partnership with South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, delivered an afternoon of musical entertainment to a number of residential, nursing and care homes across the three DEAs. 

Local musician, Gerard Dornan from Country Harmony hosted three afternoons for elderly residents in The Beeches Residential Home, Ballynahinch; Strangford Court Care Home, Downpatrick and Greenvale Residential and Nursing Home, Castlewellan. Participants really enjoyed the diverse music ranging from pop, rock and country and western, which catered for everyone’s taste. Music has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression and is increasingly used therapeutically to combat a number of health issues. Conscious of the benefits music can bring, the sessions proved very popular by everyone who took part.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “Events such as these provide an opportunity for our elderly community to come together to enjoy music and the companionship of others.

“It is heartening to see partnership working from various agencies delivering such enjoyable and fun events which improve not only mental but physical health outcomes for our older residents.”

Positive Ageing Month is a month-long festival of events and activities for older people. It celebrates the contribution they make to their communities and the importance of capturing and learning from their experience.