The Unforgettables is a chorus for caregivers and persons living with dementia focused on creating enjoyable social activities through learning new and familiar songs and engaging in public performances.
The Unforgettables Chorus
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“I would love to be able to find out whether this does have a positive effect on cognitive functioning for the person with dementia,” said Dr. Mittelman, who is currently working to obtain funding to support a formal study. “I think that this is an opportunity to do a rigorous study that would show the specific benefits of this kind of activity. For the person with dementia, for the family, for the participating caregivers, for the audience, for the attitude of people towards people with dementia as well.”
link to article: Group Reveals Impact of Song
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The choir members arrive in pairs, mostly older people shuffled along with their caregivers, and pick up name tags before finding their seats at the front of the room. The directors greet everyone with smiles and songbooks. They gather their attention and the group begins to sing — quietly at first, then with growing confidence.
Everyone sings the same part. The members focus on participation and getting the words down. They share laughs and sway to the music they make.
This is the Unforgettables Chorus, which was founded in 2011 for people with dementia and their caregivers. The chorus rehearses weekly and puts on two concerts a year. They sing mostly oldies — songs that would be familiar to the members. At the beginning of each rehearsal, the group sings “Unforgettable,” which was written by Irving Gordon and popularly recorded by Nat King Cole.
I tried to build the chorus so that people would come in and really feel like they could be themselves,” said Tania Papayannopoulou, the chorus’ music director and conductor. “That they could have a better day and a better week because they could carry the music with them.”
"Finger snapping and hand clapping helps choir members connect," said Dale Lamb, the co-director and co-conductor.
Link to article here: Music is Medicine