Singing for support

A Noble Park aged care centre will host a new study into singing.
Uniting AgeWell is looking for people in the South-East to be involved in the project about the therapeutic benefits of singing groups.
The University of Melbourne-led Remini-Sing study will allow people with dementia living at home and their family members or carers to join a singing group.
During the 20-week study starting in March, the Remini-Sing group will meet weekly to sing old favourites and new songs, and learn how to use music at home.
Austin Health piloted the research model last year and preliminary results indicated great benefits for the people with dementia.
University of Melbourne research fellow Dr Jeanette Tamplin is leading the study and said the most surprising thing about pilot was the great benefits to carers, too.
“The primary aim of the pilot was to support people living with dementia in the community,” 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 a control group.
Health and wellbeing assessments will be completed with each participant before the study and at weeks 10 and 20.
Uniting AgeWell special projects manager Carol Fountain said that when people living with dementia went to a day centre for respite, quite often they didn’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,” she said.
Singing groups will be held at Uniting AgeWell’s Community Services, 1312 Heatherton Road, Noble Park, and some other locations.
Call Ms Fountain on 9251 5997 or email cfountain@unitingagewell.org to get involved.