An inclusive programme for seniors, including those living with dementia, has a majority of clients who return.

 

Singing has a host of benefits. It releases the ‘happy’ chemicals like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, boosting your mood and making you feel good about yourself. It enhances lung function, boosts confidence, helps with pain relief, improves memory and builds a sense of community. You don’t have to tell this to Patti Ho or Jane Tan as they already know this.

Widening her networks

Eighty-one-year-old Patti loves singing and was doing karaoke once a week with other seniors singing Chinese songs at the community centre. Two years ago, she got recommended to join a group called Silver Voices, an inclusive singing programme by charity Voices of Singapore (VOS). The programme which is for seniors over the age of 60 and includes those living with or without dementia, offers once a week sessions both in Mandarin and English.

The grandmother of six recalled the only time singing English songs was back in school and had never attended an English singing class, so she opted for the English sessions. “They teach us to use our voice and the tempo, and when we come in. They teach us to drag our voice, etc. I love to learn and how to sing properly. We learn a lot here,” she said.

But that is not all she has gained. Patti has also benefitted from the enjoyment of 10 close friends whom she only met from the programme. “We are quite close and have our own chat group where we discuss all kinds of things including doing karaoke together, eating together and bowling together.”

As part of the programme, Silver Voices gets to sing in public and also at charity events. Charity is something close to Patti’s heart since she has been teaching seniors exercises on the chair for free at various active ageing centres. She also sings at community centres and nursing homes as part of another singing group by South East Community Development Council.

She is enjoying it so much that she is not stopping her singing any time soon and plans to join Silver Voices again after the 10 sessions are over.

For her husband

And for Jane, 78, she joined Silver Voices two years ago because of her 88-year-old husband, Sim TH, who has dementia. Her experience in singing is limited to singing Christmas carols for a church once or twice and her husband has no singing experience. The main caregiver to her husband, she found out about Silver Voices through a caregiving group and decided to give it a try. Jane emphasised, “I came because of him.” Both are participants in the Chinese group of Silver Voices.

“Music is good for those living with dementia. It can help improve memory with the songs and you get stimulation with the music,” shared the grandmother of three. She added that when he joined the group, he was singing very softly but now he is much louder. She said that she puts the same music on at home for him to hear.

She has also experienced him laughing, which is very rare for him as she said, he is serious and with an introverted personality. But, as much as he has gained from singing, she too has benefitted besides it being a short respite for her as a caregiver. Remembering the songs has helped her improve her memory and both have gained new friendships in the group. Like Patti, she also plans on returning with her husband after their sessions are over.

The programme

Silver Voices started back in October 2022 from research done by VOS’ artistic director Dr Darius Lim with Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. The research resulted in positive results of the singing programme on dementia prevention which then led VOS to start the in-house programme for seniors as a way to improve seniors’ cognitive functions and social interaction through music. But it is not just those benefits. Participants get to express their emotions through singing, improve their listening skills and enjoy a welcoming environment that is supportive, positive and encouraging.

Said VOS: “Our in-house programme grew from 30 to 300, and the demand keeps growing.” They hold four 10-sessions a year for both Mandarin and English, culminating in a performance to showcase what they have learnt to friends and family, or to the public. Some past performances include at the Chijmes Hall during the annual Voices of Singapore Festival, whole-of-choral society performances at the Capitol Theatre and intimate recitals at the VOS Space at Capitol.

The Mandarin session starts at 11.30am and continues for one hour, with a breakfast session before they begin, while the English session starts at 1pm with an afternoon tea session afterwards. There is a reason for this. Explained VOS, “The food is a focal point for the seniors to mingle.” They added, “While the initial programme was primed towards dementia patients, we have pivoted to a more inclusive programme to serve all seniors.”

During each lesson, there is a regular warm-up focusing on breathing techniques, healthy vocal projection, tone colour or timbre of your singing voice, singing technique and shaping vowels (shapes you make with your mouth when you sing vowel sounds). There is then an introduction of new songs and a revision of learnt songs, and a performance with the lyrics sheet. Other optional activities during the session could include a mini group performance, incorporating dance or movement exercises, a performance outdoors and musical storytelling.

VOS shared that more than 300 seniors, with 10 percent of that figure includes those living with dementia, have so far gone through the programme. The youngest was 62, while the oldest 92. And like Patti and Jane, the programme enjoys an over 90-percent return rate, with most coming back and even bringing family and friends along.

“Our goal now is to bring this programme into the community, and we are in talks with eldercare partners to run our it at various active ageing centres (AACs). The goal is to have this programme running islandwide, and in order to do so, we are actively recruiting volunteers who have a heart for seniors and wish to add value to their lives by facilitating singing sessions at AACs.” The programme was initially funded by philanthropic organisation The Majurity Trust and with the funding period over, VOS is seeking other funding sources.

Silver Voices is being offered free to those 60 and above. If you are keen to participate, sign up at: www.voicesofsingapore.com/silvervoices.