Care Home Accreditation Programme
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Music Made Easy
Making music part of everyday dementia care
From Music Made Easy to everyday practice
Music has an extraordinary ability to reach people living with dementia. It can bring back memories, create moments of joy and connection, reduce anxiety and help people communicate when words become difficult.
The Care Home Accreditation Programme (CHAP) has been developed by the Utley Foundation, through our flagship campaign Music for Dementia, to help care homes embed music into everyday dementia care.
Our ambition is simple: to make music an integral part of dementia care.
We know there is growing evidence and enthusiasm around the power of music in dementia care. But knowing that music can help and knowing how to use it meaningfully in day-to-day care are two different things.
That’s why we created Music Made Easy.
Music Made Easy gives care teams simple, practical tools and training to build confidence in using music with the people they support. It is designed to take music beyond organised activities and help make it part of everyday life, from getting dressed and mealtimes to relaxation, connection and moments of distress.
CHAP takes this one step further, helping care homes embed these principles across their setting, recognise great practice and create a culture where music becomes a natural part of care.
What you'll learn
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The course begins with a short introduction to Music for Dementia and how music can support people living with dementia, followed by four practical modules. Each module includes a short quiz to reinforce your learning.
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Discover how to find music that is personally meaningful to each individual.
You'll learn about the Golden Age Rule, how to become a Music Detective by talking to residents and their families, and how to capture individual preferences using a Music Made Easy Music Profile.
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Explore how music can become part of day-to-day care, rather than something reserved for organised activities.
You'll learn practical ways to use personalised music during everyday routines and moments, including getting dressed, mealtimes, relaxation, anxiety and bedtime, helping to support dignity, wellbeing and connection.
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Music can unlock powerful emotions and memories.
This module helps you recognise and respond to those reactions with confidence and compassion. You'll learn when to pause and observe, how to respond to what someone is communicating, and how to balance safety with positive risk-taking.
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Music can create connection even when conversation becomes difficult.
This module explores how families, friends, staff and volunteers can use music to strengthen relationships, reduce loneliness and create meaningful shared moments with people living with dementia.
CHAP isn't simply about completing a course.
It's about taking what you've learned and bringing it to life across your care home, building confidence amongst your team and making personalised music part of everyday care.
Through the accreditation programme, we're exploring how these principles can be embedded consistently across a care setting and how great practice can be recognised and celebrated.
Ready to get started?
Begin your Music Made Easy training and take the first step towards making music an integral part of everyday dementia care