Why a good singalong is so good
Singing can:
Significantly improve mood
Leave a feelgood factor afterwards
Improve alertness
Help with feelings of loneliness
Give an opportunity to interact with other people
Leave people feeling energised
Improve breathing and posture
Help with stress
Bring a sense of achievement
Help with communication
Improve quality of life
Help with memory
Reduce anxiety – you have to ‘be in the moment’ when singing
Boost confidence and self esteem
Provide an outlet to express emotions
Strengthen the immune system
Support overall health – it’s an aerobic activity
Help to manage pain
Singing with others has been shown to be so good for you that people who sing regularly have been able to reduce medication for depression, stress, anxiety and pain relief.
Who can sing?
Anyone can sing – in fact, there’s a saying that if you can speak then you can sing, despite what many of us have been told at school or by friends!
In fact, singing is so special that it’s likely that you’d be able to sing even if you were unable to speak (for example, if you’ve had a stroke) because speech is controlled by the left-hand side of the brain, but singing engages both sides. Studies show that stroke survivors who lose their speech are better able to regain it if they attend group singing sessions.
And it doesn’t matter if the person you support thinks their voice isn’t good enough. The beauty of group singing is that it really doesn’t matter what you sound like – just that you take part and add your voice.
Finding a singing group
There are lots of different types of singing groups all over the country, from community choirs that sing pop and rock songs to choral societies and groups that are specifically run for people living with dementia.
The trick is to try a few and find one that suits the person you’re supporting best – or ask friends who sing which groups they enjoy – most are happy for you to go along for a taster session.
Libraries are also a great place to look as some groups advertise on library noticeboards or your librarian might have a list of choirs and groups in your area. Many singing groups rehearse in churches and church halls, too, so check out church websites.
Take a look to see what’s on in your area here or ask others in our discussion forum here
You can also try:
The Alzheimer’s Society’s Singing For The Brain sessions
Age UK run dementia support groups and some offer singing as an activity. Call Age UK on 0800 678 1602 for information
The Music Can directory can help you to find groups in your area
If you feel that the person you’re caring for could do with a confidence boost, try searching for a singing teacher here
Singing at home
There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy singing together at home. The benefits are still there, including improving mood, memory, concentration and posture. Here are some tips to get started:
Put the radio on and hum along
Create a playlist of favourite songs and join in
Search up the lyrics if you’re not sure of them – try Shazam or Lyrics Library. On some apps and devices you might find the lyrics are displayed on the screen, for example Alexa and Spotify.
Search up a karaoke version on YouTube - the lyrics will flash up on the screen and you can either sing along with the artist or find a version with no singer and you provide the vocals.
There are also choirs specifically for carers and those who support people living with dementia. Find a group near you here