Dementia-friendly concert series
The Seattle Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
In January of 2024, the Older Adult Program Manager at The Seattle Public Library and the Director at the University of Washington Brain and Memory Wellness Center Memory Hub held an in-person community listening session for people with memory loss and their care partners to guide program planning for the year. Eight people attended, and we also offered an online survey option, which about 20 people filled out. An overarching finding was that people with dementia still wanted to socialize and feel normal but have limited opportunities to do so. They particularly wanted opportunities for movement, connection, music and education. Based on the findings, The Seattle Public Library and Memory Hub piloted “Welcome to Summer,” a three-part concert series for those with dementia, their care teams, and the community. The concerts were held in Memory Hub’s outdoor space in July 2024. With Welcome to Summer, we piloted a model of community-based programming that we continue to learn from.
Challenge/Opportunity
The biggest challenge -- and opportunity -- of this initiative was conducting community listening with people with memory loss. We used several strategies, including slowing the pace down, individually asking attendees, rewording questions in multiple ways and involving caregivers as much as possible. Visual prompts also helped. As the Library’s Older Adults program manager facilitated the session, large pieces of butcher paper were filled with answers to questions such as “What Brings You Joy?” and “Have You Recently Attended a Gathering that Left You Inspired?”
We learned that those with memory loss are able and willing to give their input and help shape the world they live in. We also learned that it’s important to offer varying opportunities for engagement in community listening – having the secondary option of an online survey was helpful. Libraries have an incredible opportunity to engage the memory loss community with programs and services. All we have to do is ask.
Key Elements of Innovation
“Welcome to Summer” reflected the interests and wishes of people with memory loss and their care community in every aspect of the event.
The concerts offered a supportive place to connect with others, meet community partners, bring families, enjoy a snack, listen to music and dance the afternoon away.
The concerts were suitable for all stages of memory loss. Memory Hub’s outdoor space has a beautiful sensory garden where attendees could relax if they felt overstimulated, and large lawn games were available, which encouraged mingling.
The concerts featured a variety of music, which the listening session attendees said was important to them. They included a concert by an award-winning high school jazz band; an “Old-School Groove” DJ dance event; and a bluegrass concert.
We scheduled the concerts from 4 to 6 p.m., a preference that also came out of community listening, because it allows family members who may work 9-5 to attend.
Achieved Outcomes
The “Welcome to Summer” series achieved its primary goal, to create a welcoming social opportunity – with connection, movement and music -- for those with dementia and their care teams, which reflected what we learned through community listening.
The series was popular, with an attendance of 150 people for the three concerts. The attendees reflected cultural and racial diversity as well as by level of dementia progression.
Additional outcomes included:
increased physical activity (dancing was in abundance),
human connection
creating a sense of normalcy for people with memory loss.
We collected qualitative data from a follow-up online survey and virtual community listening session, which included six people. The feedback was very positive; here are a few comments.
“Everything from the greeting to the close was focused on who attended. I felt like I belonged. I felt loved.”
“I enjoyed watching my husband socialize and dance with other people."
