Singing for the Brain

A report has just been published in the US which found that people between the ages of 60 and 80 who play music may avoid developing Alzheimer's disease as a result, commenting that "music is a challenging cognitive exercise, making people's brains fitter and more capable of accommodating the challenges of ageing."

I help out at a local Singing for the Brain group, run by The Alzheimer's Society and although I can't comment about whether the singing that we do is helping to improve the fitness of our brains, it is certainly causing increased levels of hilarity, sociability and confidence for all who take part.  We do gentle warm ups, both physical and vocal, and sing classic songs from the era's of the older clients as well as songs which are new to all of us.

However, the main benefit for those with Alzheimer's, their carers and us volunteers is the way the group has developed socially, with everyone at ease with one another, everyone looking out for one another and everyone included, no matter what their abilities.  Alzheimer's and dementia has long ceased to be an issue for the group,and for those couple of hours each week, we may be improving our brains, but we are certainly managing to forget.
 

Mark Sadler