0:00:11 > 0:00:16My mother Yvonne worked hard all her life and brought me up on her own.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22She was always active and independent.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28But life for her now, at 94 years old, is very different.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30My mother suffers from severe dementia,
0:00:30 > 0:00:34she has done for many years. She doesn't speak at all,
0:00:34 > 0:00:39she doesn't recognise me, as far as I'm aware.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41She's lost everything that she knew -
0:00:41 > 0:00:44her home, her family, her friends.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49But despite the isolation that she must feel,
0:00:49 > 0:00:53I want her to have the best possible experience of life
0:00:53 > 0:00:55that she can have.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01I'm not alone in wanting a better quality of life for a loved one.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03This is Rose.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Eight years ago, her father David was contentedly retired and married.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11My mum and dad were married for over 50 years.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14My father used to care for my mother a lot
0:01:14 > 0:01:17in that she became more and more immobile.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21They lived a quiet life together but I think he became her carer,
0:01:21 > 0:01:25and that became, in his eyes, his life, really.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29But after Rose's mother died two years later,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32her father David struggled to cope by himself.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Well, I think he lost his purpose in life.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41He began to deteriorate.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43David was eventually diagnosed with dementia
0:01:43 > 0:01:46and Rose had to move him into a residential care home last year.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49He's now 86 years old.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52That was at Nicola's christening. Do remember that?
0:01:52 > 0:01:54- Not really.- Not really.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58You know that, to a degree,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00as soon as they're in a home, they will withdraw.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Now he really doesn't talk to people a great deal.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07He doesn't like to socialise particularly.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09I think he finds it almost threatening.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Feeling helpless, Rose must watch her father
0:02:11 > 0:02:14become more and more withdrawn from the outside world.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Illness, loss of loved ones, and mobility
0:02:18 > 0:02:22can seriously affect an older person's quality of life.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25They may face difficulties communicating,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28cut off from the pleasures of sharing with others.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32But there is help available from an organisation called Live Music Now.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35I've been able to experience the benefits of their work
0:02:35 > 0:02:40with my mother, so I'm now making this appeal on their behalf.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42Live Music Now is a charity
0:02:42 > 0:02:45which uses musicians and interactive performances
0:02:45 > 0:02:48to tackle isolation and loneliness in older people.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54Nearly half of all people aged 75 or over in the UK live on their own.
0:02:55 > 0:02:5982-year-old Betty has lived alone for 16 years.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03We used to do the gardening together, Frank and I,
0:03:03 > 0:03:05and he was pleased to do it, you know.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08And if he was happy, well, I was happy.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12When I lost Frank, that was very sudden. And I...
0:03:12 > 0:03:16That is the biggest adjustment - living here on my own, really.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Betty's deteriorating health and mobility
0:03:19 > 0:03:21has made getting out of the house more difficult.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Many people in Betty's situation
0:03:24 > 0:03:26easily become forgotten and isolated.
0:03:28 > 0:03:29Loneliness can be bad for you
0:03:29 > 0:03:32because you allow yourself to get depressed.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35And then you can't be bothered to go anywhere.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37You do begin to give up.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40And I don't want to give up yet.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44Thankfully, there's a charity that's working to help.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49For over 35 years, Live Music Now has been working on the best ways
0:03:49 > 0:03:54to bring the joy and benefits of live music to older people in need.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58With specially trained young musicians and tailored programmes,
0:03:58 > 0:04:02their work has an older person's wellbeing at its heart,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05providing the emotional, intellectual and social support,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08and helping to improve their enjoyment of life.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14A key part of the charity's work is providing regular music sessions
0:04:14 > 0:04:16in residential homes for the elderly.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20Hello! How are you? I'm Daire.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24- Are you a singer or a dancer, Peter? - Neither.- Oh, I don't believe you!
0:04:24 > 0:04:27The charity's special training for the musicians
0:04:27 > 0:04:31helps them understand the needs of different residents.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35A typical concert for me would be on arrival, greeting everyone,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38trying to get to know people at least a bit before the music starts,
0:04:38 > 0:04:40put them at ease, reassure them.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43We're going to start with something to get you all moving.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45This is from My Fair Lady.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49# I could have danced all night... #
0:04:49 > 0:04:52'It's really nice to see people coming along
0:04:52 > 0:04:54'and being really with you in the moment,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57'and I think that's something that music can do really well.'
0:04:57 > 0:05:00# ..Still have begged for more... #
0:05:03 > 0:05:07'Relatives and staff are also encouraged to participate.'
0:05:07 > 0:05:11'Our concerts often have quite a stark effect on the room,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14'from uniting everyone, bringing everyone together in a sing-song,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17'getting people to their feet to move around and dance.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19'People often say to me, "Oh, I can't, my legs don't work,"
0:05:19 > 0:05:22'and after two songs, they're up and moving around the room.
0:05:22 > 0:05:23'So that's quite fun to see.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26'Sometimes we have a bit of tears at our concerts,
0:05:26 > 0:05:28'and I always think tears and laughter,'
0:05:28 > 0:05:30if you make them laugh and cry, you've done a good job.
0:05:30 > 0:05:36# Heaven, I'm in heaven... #
0:05:36 > 0:05:37'The benefits of the sessions
0:05:37 > 0:05:39'can remain long after the musicians are gone.'
0:05:39 > 0:05:43'In terms of lasting effects, we really hope that it helps'
0:05:43 > 0:05:46to foster a sense of community and a sense of togetherness,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49'that people do things together, experience new things,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52'and there are new things to look forward to.'
0:05:52 > 0:05:54APPLAUSE
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Well, I enjoyed the concert very much.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06I thought it was very lively and the presenters were very charming.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10Music makes you feel light. I'd say it was brilliant!
0:06:11 > 0:06:15Live Music Now is making a real difference to people's lives.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Their distinctive approach and regular music sessions
0:06:18 > 0:06:21make a vital contribution to those living with dementia,
0:06:21 > 0:06:23to their carers and their families,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25providing a channel of communication,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28when all hope seems lost.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32Live Music Now set up a four-month series of music workshops
0:06:32 > 0:06:35at David's care home last year.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39'I could tell that these sessions were important to my father
0:06:39 > 0:06:42'cos he was quite determined he didn't want to miss it.'
0:06:42 > 0:06:45So it was written on his calendar, which quite amazed me.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47And it was finally something
0:06:47 > 0:06:50that Rose and her father could share together again.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54I suppose you do get a part of your old dad back.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59I found it very pleasurable to be able to do something with my dad
0:06:59 > 0:07:01when he was quite obviously happy
0:07:01 > 0:07:05and we could both enjoy it together and talk about it afterwards.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09The charity also runs live music concerts
0:07:09 > 0:07:11for older people in the community
0:07:11 > 0:07:14who are at risk of being socially isolated or live alone.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15Like Betty.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Well, it makes you feel a part of a group,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24and you're not isolated then at all.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27You go and you thoroughly enjoy it.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30And when you come back, you feel better for it.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33I think it's a tonic, actually, music.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Live Music Now currently reaches
0:07:37 > 0:07:40nearly 30,000 isolated older people each year
0:07:40 > 0:07:42in both care homes and the community.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45But they're desperate to help even more.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Your donation will help them provide a greater number
0:07:48 > 0:07:52of regular live music sessions, giving social and emotional support
0:07:52 > 0:07:56to older people across the UK who need it the most.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01Please go to the website, where you can donate.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06If you don't have access to the internet, then call 0800 011 011.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10If you can't get through, please, please keep trying.
0:08:10 > 0:08:16You can also donate £10 by texting SUPPORT to 70121.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Texts cost £10 plus your standard network message charge,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24and the whole £10 goes to Live Music Now.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29Full terms and conditions can be found at bbc.co.uk/lifeline.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Telephone calls are free from most landlines.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36Some networks and mobile operators will charge for these calls.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Or if you'd like to post a donation,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41please make your cheque payable to Live Music Now,
0:08:41 > 0:08:43and send it to Freepost, BBC Lifeline Appeal,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47writing "Live Music Now" on the back of the envelope.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Remember, if you're a UK taxpayer,
0:08:49 > 0:08:53the charity can collect gift aid on your donation worth another 25%.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54Just send in a note
0:08:54 > 0:08:57to say you want your donation to be subject to gift aid,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00and include the date, your full name and address.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Thank you.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd