The dementia day centre where they sing The Beatles to reawaken memories
Users of the Jewish Care charity's centres came together for a competition at its Sam Beckman Centre in Friern Barnet. judged by the presenter of the BBC series The Choir.
He said: 'Singing is one of the few tools we have to retain our emotions and personality,' he said. 'It's the closest thing to magic.'
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Members of the charity's Sandringham day centre in Stanmore sang the 1960s' Beatles classic Hey Jude, which earned them the 'Showstopper' award for the most theatrical performance.
The Beckman centre choir performed Elvis Presley's I Can't Help Falling in Love with You, which won them the 'Most Emotional' award, while the Noé Nightingales from the Zalman and Ruchi Noé Centre sang Those Were the Days and won the 'Feel Good Factor' award.
'Singing for Memory' groups are run by volunteers and music therapists which can include learning instruments.
Healthcare practitioner Edmond Jeffery, a who leads a weekly group at the Stanmore centre said: 'Singing gives a sense of community and new-found confidence which grows after each session.'
Jewish Care's Friern Barnet manager Tanya Miller, who organised the competition, said: 'Music has huge benefits for people with dementia, helping maintain cognitive abilities, reducing anxiety and stimulating memories by maintaining speech and language.'
People living with dementia who join music groups also learn new skills like singing that help stimulate them, the charity says.
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