Choir revives memories for singers living with dementia

WHEN Helen Macleod was four years old, her grandfather gave her a piano.

More than 75 years later, the 80-year-old is passing that gift on through the Mercy Place Rice Village Singers, a choir she founded for residents living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at a Marshall aged care village.

Every Thursday, about 15 singers gather to perform classics by artists including The Beatles and Buddy Holly.

Inspired by the Choir of Hard Knocks, Macleod established the group two years ago after music and singing helped her through the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Music has been a constant throughout her life, but she never expected the choir would become such an important part of her week.

“They light up and I do too,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what I do, it’s really the joy of my week.

“I’m proud of them because they’re so brave and most of them are 90 and a bit more.

“I don’t care if they can sing or they can’t sing, because if you put a lot of noise together, it comes out as a nice noise – it’s just a joyful thing.”

Focusing on songs that many of the residents would have heard in their youth, Macleod works on up to six pieces at a time with the choir.

Every few months, one song is retired and a new favourite takes its place, often at the request of the choir’s members.

Next on the agenda is a song by Eddie Fisher.

“One of the ladies is mad keen on Eddie Fisher,” Macleod said. “She’s sure he is going to come back out of heaven if we’re singing his songs, so we have to learn a new one.

“If we learn three new songs in the next three months, we’ll do well with those and then we’ll rotate in a couple of favourites.”

Supported by staff at Mercy Place Rice Village, Macleod said the choir’s impact extends well beyond the weekly rehearsal.

She often hears members singing throughout the village and during church services.

“I’ll play the organ for church two days a week and they’re singing in there as well,” Macleod said. “It’s just a joy to watch them.”

While the choir’s purpose is simple, the connection between music and dementia care has been the subject of extensive research around the world.

Studies have consistently highlighted music’s ability to unlock memories, stimulate engagement and support emotional wellbeing for people living with dementia.

Macleod sees those benefits firsthand each week. Even those who have lost their voices enjoy having a boogie to the music, she said.

“I’ve had a few moments with this little group too where I felt really choked up,” Macleod said.

“I’ve gained so much from them.”

She hopes the choir will perform for family members later this year, giving loved ones the chance to see what the group has achieved together.