Home Instead launches campaign to get #1000voices singing for dementia

Home Instead Senior Care has pledged to get 1,000 people singing through a campaign called ‘Songs to Remember’, in support of Dementia Action Week (21 – 27 May).

The home care company has created a playlist of favourite songs that caregivers and their clients love to sing together, and is getting as many people as possible to join in and sing along, including its 190 offices across the country.

Martin Jones, managing director at Home Instead, said: “Our #SongsToRemember campaign is all about highlighting the benefits of music and singing for people living with dementia.

“Many of our dementia-trained caregivers sing with their clients and music has helped them to find their voice through remembering the words to an old song and reigniting happy memories.

“We want to get at least 1,000 people singing as part of Dementia Action Week, and we hope people will get involved and use the hashtag to tell us about the impact music has on them.”

Home Instead Senior Care surveyed thousands of its caregivers across the country to find out which songs they and their clients most enjoy singing together.

The top ten #SongsToRemember include:

1. Bring Me Sunshine – Morecombe and Wise

2. It’s a Long Way to Tipperary – Music Hall Song

3. You Are My Sunshine – Jimmie Davis

4. We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn

5. Oh What A Beautiful Morning – Gordon Macrae

6. The White Cliffs of Dover – Vera Lynn

7. Que Sera Sera – Doris Day

8. Over the Rainbow – Judy Garland

9. Singing in the Rain – Gene Kelly

10. My Way – Frank Sinatra

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the therapeutic benefits of music for people living with dementia.

Research has shown that memories of old songs activate very specific areas of the brain, which seem to be particularly resistant to the damaging effects of the condition.

The Salford Team will be using the #SongsToRemember song sheet to sing along with their clients, colleagues and people in the local area. They will also be posting pictures and updates on social media, using the hashtag #SongsToRemember and #1000voices.

Susan Robinson, co-owner of Home Instead Salford, said: “We’ve all experienced the feeling of being transported back to a place or time from our past through a piece of music or song, but for people who have dementia and their loved ones, that experience can be particularly magical.

“We are going to get everyone singing our number one song ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ and we might even throw in some of the Morecambe & Wise dance moves. It’s going to be wonderful, bringing people together all as one voice, spreading the sheer enjoyment of music and song and seeing the impact it can have particularly on those living with dementia.”

Home Instead specialises in providing at-home care for the elderly, allowing people to remain independent for as long as possible.

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