Singing study to support people with dementia and carers

Thursday, 25 January

Uniting AgeWell is looking for participants to be involved in a new study investigating the therapeutic benefits of singing groups.

The “Remini-Sing” study, led by University of Melbourne, will allow people with dementia living at home and their family members or carers to join a supportive singing group.

During the 20-week study, commencing in March, the Remini-Sing group will meet weekly to sing old favourites and new songs, and learn how to use music at home.  It will be a supportive group where participants connect with others and enjoy afternoon tea.

The research model was piloted at Austin Health last year and preliminary results indicated great benefits for both the people with dementia and their family members or carers.  University of Melbourne Research Fellow Dr Jeanette Tamplin, who is leading the study, said the most surprising thing about pilot was the great benefits to carers. 

“The primary aim of the pilot was to support people living with dementia in the community, but we underestimated how powerful it would be for the carers,” she said.

“The carers of people with dementia all commented on the inclusiveness of the group and the fact that they felt so supported and understood.  They got so much joy out of doing something together with their partner/mother/father or whoever they were there with.”

Uniting AgeWell is seeking participants aged 60 or older, who have been diagnosed with dementia, and a family member or carer.  Once selected, participants will be randomly assigned to either a Remini-Sing group or the waitlisted control group, with the waitlisted group receiving music intervention after the study, if they wish.

Health and wellbeing assessments will be completed with each participant prior to the beginning of the study, and at weeks 10 and 20, to measure the benefits of the group.

Uniting AgeWell Special Projects Manager Carol Fountain expects the group to provide an avenue for older people and their carers or family members to form stronger bonds. 

“This is something that the carer or family member, and the person with dementia, can experience together,” she said.

“When people living with dementia come to a day centre for respite, quite often they don’t have the capacity to share what happened on their day out.

“This program allows the carer or family member to share something meaningful and introduce music they enjoy to each other, as well as the rest of the group.”

Singing groups will be held at Brighton, Noble Park, Forest Hill, Hawthorn, Bendigo, Kingsville and Hobart.

To get involved, contact Uniting AgeWell Special Projects Manager Carol Fountain on T: 9251 5997 or email [email protected]