“Music is medicine”: Jess on Our Dementia Choir

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Music really is medicine

What began as a one-off documentary has become a charity with weekly rehearsals, local care home visits, and big-stage moments. Jess explains that the impact of singing is immediate and lasting.

“They just come to life. Until you witness it in front of your eyes, it is so hard to explain.”

“Music is medicine and we won’t stop singing about it.”

People who are non-verbal often start singing when familiar melodies begin. The uplift can continue at home for days after a rehearsal or performance.

 

Community for carers as well as singers

Rehearsals are designed for everyone. People living with dementia sing with the choir while carers have space to connect, swap ideas, and take a breath. After singing the groups come back together for bingo, a raffle to support the charity, and lunch.

“When you are out with a group of people who are in a similar situation … you all chip in, you all look out for each other.”

The result is friendship, shared learning, and practical peer support that continues beyond rehearsal days.

 

Breaking stigma and widening understanding

Dementia is not only an older person’s disease. Jess notes that choir members range from their fifties to their nineties and that some people receive a diagnosis much earlier. Performances at community events highlight how many families are touched by dementia and help challenge outdated assumptions.

 

Choosing songs that work for everyone

With a wide age range, variety is key. The choir often performs medleys that blend classics with newer favourites, plus wartime and musical theatre themes. Medleys keep energy high and make it easier for everyone to join in the verses they know.

The team also uses simple tools to support memory and focus. Yellow paper with black text improves lyric readability. Gentle actions, Makaton or sign-supported routines add movement and meaning. Repetition builds confidence and keeps the brain active.

 

Independence, dignity, and joy

Jess has been a live-in carer and understands how tough the loss of independence can initially feel. But like live-in care the choir looks for every chance to give choice back, whether that is picking a biscuit or stepping forward for a solo. Families often join on stage for special moments which can be deeply reassuring.

 

Practical takeaways for families

• Use music little and often at home
  Put the radio on while making tea. Build a simple playlist of songs that prompt smiles or calm.
• Mix the familiar with the new
  Favourite choruses are brilliant yet do not be afraid to introduce fresh melodies. Repetition helps build new pathways.
• Add movement
  Gentle swaying or seated actions can lift mood and confidence even when standing is difficult.
• Keep lyrics clear
  Try large black text on yellow paper. Short lines and big fonts help.
• Invite carers to sing too
  Joining in turns music into a shared routine which strengthens relationships.
• Look for local singing groups
  Community choirs and care home performances create supportive spaces for families.

 

Reflections from the episode

Jess’s story is grounded in love and lived experience. Caring for her granny through dementia led her to volunteer with Our Dementia Choir, then to a full-time role supporting singers and carers week after week.

“The dementia choir filled a gap in my heart where I’d lost my granny, and it let me find myself.”

Our Dementia Choir shows that a diagnosis does not end a life of connection or creativity. With the right support people can perform on big stages or simply rediscover pleasure in a morning of song with friends.

 

Thank you and next steps

A huge thank you to Jess from Our Dementia Choir for sharing such honest, practical insight. To learn more about tailored support at home and how live-in care can help loved ones keep doing what they enjoy, please call 0345 125 8975.