Summary
This brief guide explores the potential benefits for people living with dementia of participation in dementia-focused singing groups. It presents evidence and experience from music practitioners and health researchers at the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health, and covers various aspects of establishing singing groups for people with dementia. (There is a series of related guides about singing groups for other health conditions). Information supplied includes evidence from case studies and research projects. Directions to other sources of information and training are provided.
Reference
Vella-Burrows, T. (2012). Singing, wellbeing and health: context, evidence and practice. singing and people with dementia. Folkestone [Kent]: Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health at Canterbury Christ Church University, September 2012. ISBN: 9781909067059.
Possibly also of interest:
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Reference
Davidson, JW. [and] Fedele, J. (2011). Investigating group singing activity with people with dementia and their caregivers: problems and positive prospects. Musicae Scientiae, November 2011, 15(3), 402-422.
See also:
Full Text Link (Note: This article requires a suitable Athens password, a journal subscription or payment for access).
Reference
Camic, PM. Williams, CM. [and] Meeten, F. (2013). Does a ‘Singing Together Group’ improve the quality of life of people with a dementia and their carers? A pilot evaluation study. Dementia. March 2013, 12(2), 157-76. (Click here to view the PubMed abstract).
There is a systematic review which fairly balances both the methodological limitations and the future potential of these categories of intervention (whether involving variously bibliotherapy and / or the literary arts, music therapies, the performing arts or the visual arts).
Full Text Link (Note: This article requires a suitable Athens password, a journal subscription or payment for access).
Reference
Young, R. Camic, PM. [and] Tischler, V. (2016). The impact of community-based arts and health interventions on cognition in people with dementia: a systematic literature review. Aging & Mental Health. 2016; 20(4): 337-51.
