STAFF and residents at a Worcester care home are hitting all the right notes as part of a nationwide project to promote singing for older people.
Tiffany Thompson and her colleague Deb Milosavljevich from Care UK’s Perry Manor, on Charles Hastings Way, were among the first care home team members in the country to be trained to deliver their own ‘Singing from the Brain’ sessions.
The innovative scheme, developed by the Alzheimer’s Society, aims to bring people together through music and singing. The sessions encourage older people, especially those living with dementia, to sing their favourite songs from decades gone by in order to improve cognitive functions.
So far, the sessions have proven to be popular among residents and team members are already starting to see the positive effects; one resident was able to remember her wedding day upon hearing her wedding song – something she hadn’t been able to do in years.
Greta, aged 85, who lives at Perry Manor, said: “Singing always makes me happy and brings back lovely memories.”
Home manager Katherine Matthews said: “We’re thrilled to be involved in the ‘Singing for the Brain’ initiative.
“Music can have many therapeutic benefits for older people, especially those living with dementia, by offering them an alternative way to communicate, while also encouraging happy memories from their younger years. ‘Singing for the Brain’ has been designed to do just that – plus everyone here loves a sing-along!
“I’m proud of Tiffany and Deb’s hard work during their training – the sessions have definitely hit the right note with residents and we’re all looking forward to the next one.”
