UMA & ARN partner for Muru Music Health aged care music platform

Muru Music Health has joined with Universal Music Australia and Australian Radio Network to help deliver a music-driven mental health platform for those in aged care.

The mindful music listening platform was created to help users relax, relive positive memories, or be active, all the while helping stimulate the brain.

Muru Music Health’s launch coincides with World Alzheimer’s Day and the start of Dementia Awareness Week.

There will also be 5,000 Muru Music Health memberships donated for retirement village and aged care residents at Stockland, Hammond Care, Plus Communities and more around Australia.

“Today, 22% of the global population is over the age of 60, and every three seconds someone is diagnosed with dementia,” Muru Music Health founder Nicc Johnson said.

“While there is no cure to ageing or cognitive decline, research has shown listening to music can reduce anxiety, depression, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, memory, increase cognitive functions, enhance learning and concentration, and slow down the effects of brain ageing.

That Muru Music Health platform is an AI-powered music tech platform and features music from Universal Music artists.

“When it comes to music, whether we’re listening or participating, the brain does something magical. The human brain can separate the complex rhythm, melody and emotion of a song in a split second. It can also instantly recognise a song it’s heard before and decide whether we like it or not,” Johnson added.

“For people living with Alzheimer’s, therapists and neurologists have found that when a person listens to familiar songs from their youth, it can reduce the level of brain fog and confusion and in some cases enable more effective communication.”

Universal Music is on board as the exclusive music partner, providing the platform with a comprehensive catalogue of music.

“Music has always had a significant impact on social issues. The healing power of music unites us, it helps us navigate through challenging times, whilst reminding us of happy and treasured memories, evoking emotion and sensations like no other medium,” Universal Music ANZ president George Ash said.

“Universal Music Australia is proud to be supporting Muru Music Health in their dementia initiative. We look forward to the positive feedback from carers and dementia patients and hope to contribute to their ongoing social and emotional wellbeing.”

Music from the likes of Universal-signed artists Missy Higgins, Keith Urban and Lee Kernaghan will be part of that catalogue.

“Understanding the power of music and the role it plays in all kinds of healing and therapy is something I understand all too well,” Higgins said.

In 2012 she wrote ‘Cooling Of The Embers’, a song about how dementia has affected her grandmother.

“Having watched my beloved Grandma endure the effects of dementia, this project is as important as any research currently underway, and any comfort and support that can be provided to the growing number of those affected, is only a positive move forward.”

Kernaghan added that he’s proud to lend his music to the cause.

“Dementia is a growing problem in Australia and it has a huge effect on every family that it touches.

“Music can be a powerful tool in assisting patient therapies; that’s why I’m really proud to lend a hand along with my great mates at Universal Music Australia who are yet again showing fantastic social responsibility in their support of Muru Music Health’s Dementia Initiative.”

The partnership is being supported across ARN’s network of stations, with several announcers helping promote Muru Music Health.

“At ARN we know the power of audio to connect and entertain, so we are proud to partner with Muru Music Health to share that with older Australians,” ARN COO Michael Harvey said.

“The partnership is supported across the ARN network with GOLD104.3’s Craig Huggins, Mix102.3’s Mark ‘Soda’ Soderstrom, 96FM’s Lisa Shaw and The Edge’s Emma Chow all getting behind Muru Music Health with touching on-air messages.”

As for the name, Muru comes from the Aboriginal (Dharug) word meaning ‘Pathway, Gateway, Journey to’.

“At Stockland, we’re always looking for new ways to support our residents and their wellbeing,” Stockland CEO national services and care manager Natalie Burns added.

“We know the powerful effects that music can have on our mood and behaviours, and are so pleased to be working with Muru Music Health to offer our residents a chance to incorporate music more seamlessly into their routines, and live happier and healthier lives.”