Singing for the Brain

Each day we can be enlightened by the work and findings of others...


Singing for the Brain was founded by Chreanne Montgomery-Smith of the Alzheimer's Society, and it is a singing group for those with dementia, memory problems or Alzheimer's disease.  She reports:  "Families believe it has enhanced their lives and in some ways it has kept people well longer. People who have constant memory problems are so undermined by this, but somehow the memory for singing is preserved for ever in the brain and it gives people a lift when they can remember things."  Singing sessions have beneficial effects on the participants' cognitive powers, physical ability and emotions. 
     "It would seem, and there is a lot of research about this, that the music has the ability to access words. It is so powerful that people who have lost their ability to speak can access songs and words from the melody," said Singing tutor Liz McNaughton, who is a freelance voice coach with Singing for the Brain. 
    "The part of the brain that works with speech is different than the part that processes music, which is what allows people who can no longer converse to still enjoy music", said Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society and professor of age-related diseases at King's College, London.


"People seem to enjoy doing something jointly with other people and there is a lot of evidence that being socially engaged is good for people with dementia," Ballard added.

~  Information from alzheimers.org

Quote:
"He who sings frightens away his ills."   ~  Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote

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