We are inviting care homes to take part in the PUMA Study — a national NHS-supported research project exploring whether including personalised music within individual care plans can:
- Improve wellbeing,
- Support quality care, and
- Reduce changed behaviours, such as distress, for people living with dementia.
What’s Involved?
- 58 care homes will join the study:
- 29 homes will receive training to support the use of personalised music within care planning while 29 homes will continue with usual care.
- Both groups are vital for comparing outcomes.
Why Take Part?
Taking part demonstrates that your care home is committed to learning, improvement, and research. Research involvement has been linked to:
- Better care culture,
- Staff development, and
- Improved resident outcomes.
**Participating homes will also receive a certificate of participation to support CQC inspections.**
What We Ask of Participating Homes
- Nominate a lead contact for your home.
- Help identify staff and residents who may wish to take part.
- Support sharing information with residents and families.
- Allow researchers to visit or stay in touch to collect information.
- All participating homes will receive a fixed payment to recognise the time and activity involved.
What Are the Benefits?
Be part of an important national study that may shape the future of dementia care.
Opportunities for training and support, including:
- Research training for care staff
- Training for Dementia Care Champions in personalised music intervention dementia care (for some homes).
- Contributes to continuing professional development (CPD).
- May support staff morale, confidence, and retention
- Helps demonstrate commitment to Safe, Caring, and Well-led care
What’s the Time Commitment for Homes?
- Attend a couple of short meetings,
- Help identify potential participants,
- Share study information with families and staff
Want to know more?
We’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss the study further or express interest. Email [email protected] or complete the expression of interest form below.
