DEMENTIA CARE
HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES
Ellen Bassam of Music for Dementia explains how choirs can bring care homes together.
Moving into a care home can be a daunting experience, especially if you’re a person living with dementia. New people, new surroundings and a new routine. But care homes are a unique space where individuals and communities can thrive if given the right opportunities. Music-based activities like choirs are at the heart of making this possible.
Research from Oxford University found that singing in a choir can be one of the fastest ways to build social connections. Specifically, the act of singing helped to break down social barriers faster than other activities in the study and build close bonds.
“Research from Oxford University found that singing in a choir can be one of the fastest ways to build social connections”
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2015-10-28-singing%E2%80%99s-secret-power-ice-breaker-effect BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
Care homes should be classed as sites of historical significance with the collective wisdom and stories of residents that span a lifetime. But it can be hard to bring people together without ways to help people open-up. Singing side by side, in unison, choirs can act as both the social WD40 and glue to help bring residents, staff and the wider community together.
We saw this first hand in December, working with Runwood Homes and The Prime Timers on their journey to create and ultimately win the Guiness World Record of world’s oldest choir. With an average age of 94, working in partnership with Intergenerational Music Making, they wrote and recorded an original song and performed it live in special showcase with children from the local area. An inspirational story for anyone who feels like they might be too old to try something new.
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CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR INTERACTION
Meeting regularly to rehearse is a great place to start when trying to bring people together. Meeting with a shared purpose may feel less overwhelming to residents who might be nervous about joining activities. The moments between songs creates time for conversation which can help get over anxiety and fears someone might have if they’ve recently moved to a care home. For Runwood Homes, bringing residents together from across the region meant people could meet like-minded people both within their care home who they might not have spoken to, but also residents from across the Runwood Group.
PURPOSE AND JOY FOR RESIDENTS
Everyone sings for different reasons, and it can help to get you out of your head and into the moment. It’s impossible to think of anything else when you’re trying to keep up with a song. Chris, used to be an elected official of the National Farmers Union. Being a member of The Prime Timers brings purpose to his week. He quipped: “When everyday feels like a Sunday, its nice to finally have a Monday.” For Vera, singing takes her back to when she was younger, singing with her friends. And for Sheila, who loves singing (despite claiming to have a terrible voice), it brings pure joy.
RESPITE FOR CARERS
It can be lonely and tiring being a family carer for someone with dementia. Choirs can create a moment of respite for carers and a chance to take part in an activity with the person they care for. If you’re feeling isolated or alone, attending a choir could be a great way to meet new people going through a similar experience and become an emotional release.
The best part about a choir is you don’t need to be a professional singer to take part. Your voice – no matter how good will get lost in the group and is guaranteed to add something. The collective is stronger than any individual.
www.musicfordementia.org.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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