DEMENTIA charity Playlist for Life which launched in Dunfermline and was founded by Scots journalist Sally Magnusson, is set to go nationwide.

So far, 36 families will benefit from the Dunfermline pilot which helps sufferers of dementia by playing music.

Playlist for Life aims to play carefully-selected, personalised music on iPods and mp3 players to people with the condition.

The method is a tested idea which links the emotions music brings to the individual with their forgotten memories.

Sally set up the charity last June following the death of her mother Mamie from dementia.

Speaking to the Press in May ahead of the Dunfermline launch of the initiative, she said, “It is the most extraordinary and moving experience to see people reacting to the music.With dementia so much else goes – all your skills, all your functionality, just about everything goes. But my mother’s ability to respond to music didn’t go and in many ways seemed to be enhanced.

“Dementia is a hideous condition but the person remains inside and that person’s identity can be affirmed and enhanced and connections can be made and personal music is one of the best ways of doing that.” Dunfermline Rotary Club were involved in the collection of iPods for the charity and Playlist trustee and trainer Andy Lowndes has urged them to continue to spread the word about Playlist for Life.

Mr Lowndes said, “We don’t want to make a business out of Playlist for Life. We think this is a simple intervention.

“If we can get the message out to them and get buy-in from the community, then great things can happen.” Playlist for Life is teaming up with the Pars Foundation to present a 40s-style tea on Saturday 8th November from 2-5pm in Dunfermline’s Glen Pavilion. Music at the event will be provided by the swing band Baby Issac and tickets are available from Munroe’s Hairdressing and Beauty, DAFC club shop and Thomson Cooper Accountants.

The charity is also now working with eight of Scotland’s 14 NHS Trusts to pilot the concept of acute-care settings with patients with various forms of cognitive impairment.

At the invitation of the Scottish Government a PhD student at Queen Margaret Hospital was poised to begin work to evidence the effectiveness of the Playlist intervention.

The charity is also preparing to provide professionals with online access to training and to develop a DVD for distribution through GP surgeries.

Visit http://www.playlistforlife.org.uk/ for more information.