Dementia-friendly choir in Busselton rekindles musical memories
Participants in the CareSong program sing and socialise each week. (ABC South West WA: Verity Hughes)
In short:
CareSong Busselton brings together people living with dementia and their carers for weekly singing sessions designed to spark memory and reduce isolation.
With dementia affecting more than 400,000 Australians, organisers hope local musicians will step forward to sustain the weekly sessions and expand support for families in the South West.
The coordinator of the organisation says music programs benefit not only those living with dementia, but their carers and families as well.
On a Thursday afternoon, familiar melodies fill the Senior Citizens Centre in the coastal town of Busselton, Western Australia.
For many in the room, the lyrics come easily, even though everyday conversation does not.
CareSong Busselton is a dementia-friendly community singing group that gets together for weekly sessions that include an afternoon cup of tea along with the music.
The group is the only one in regional WA, according to CareSong coordinator David Pilpel.
Volunteers lead the choir in song. (ABC South West WA: Verity Hughes)
"Particularly for someone who has dementia, music just brings back some really positive memories and, you know, music is a universally positive thing — not just for people with dementia, but for all of us," he said.
More than 400,000 Australians live with dementia, according to Dementia Australia.
With this number projected to grow, Mr Pilpel says community-based support programs are becoming increasingly important.
'Pleasure and joy'
Mr Pilpel was inspired to bring the program to the South West after seeing the benefits of playing music to his late father.
"He'd suffered advanced dementia for about 10 years, and whenever I went up to Perth to see him, I always took my ukulele with me, and I know how much pleasure and joy it gave him and other residents," he said.
David Pilpel says singing brings many benefits to those living with dementia. (ABC South West WA: Verity Hughes)
Mr Pilpel said the singing group also has a positive impact on carers.
"It's also great for family carers to be able to socialise and meet others to realise they're not the only ones who are going through that process," he said.
"At the same time, they get to see their loved one singing, happy, laughing, which isn't necessarily something that happens on a regular basis."
Phyl Winchcombe and Vicky Collins attend the choir together every week. (ABC South West WA: Verity Hughes)
Vicky Collins brings her neighbour Phyl Winchcombe from Dunsborough each week.
"We both just love it so much," Ms Collins said.
"They're the songs that my mother and grandmother would play to me, or they're on movies that we're all familiar with, so they're all songs that you know, and it's just such a lovely environment to be part of.
"Uplifting, inclusive, anyone is welcome, any age group — and that's the thing that I love, like regardless of your age, we're all in this together."
Combating isolation
Dementia can be isolating for those living with it as well as their families.
Social withdrawal is common as confidence declines and communication becomes more difficult.
Douglas Stead says the group provides him with a social outlet. (ABC South West WA: Verity Hughes)
Participant Douglas Stead said the CareSong meetings were a highlight of his week.
"It's the people — everybody's ready for a chat when we have a cup of tea and everything else at the end,” he said.