Promoting well-being among people with early-stage dementia and their family carers through community-based group singing: a phenomenological study

Abstract

Background: Dementia can negatively impact the well-being of people living with dementia and their family carers. Research suggests that music psychosocial interventions are effective, safe alternatives to pharmacological interventions for the promotion of wellbeing. However, evidence is limited, and research gaps remain. This study explores how a community-based group singing intervention impacts the well-being of people with early-stage dementia and their family carers. Methods: A phenomenological methodological approach was adopted. Participants engaged in a six-week group singing intervention facilitated by a music therapist in a community arts centre. Semi-structured interviews were conducted (n = 7). Results: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed four superordinate themes: (1) Social Connection; (2) Happiness and Rejuvenation; (3) Reconnection with the Self; and (4) Supporting the Carer-Cared-for Relationship. Conclusions: Evidence of multidimensional enhancement of wellbeing, absence of adverse effects, and accessibility of this musical medium support the increased provision of community-based singing groups for these populations.

Perspectives of people living with dementia and their care partners about the impact on social health when participating in a co‐designed Dementia café

“…Our study adds to the growing knowledge base about the potential of belonging to a group to combat loneliness (Tsekleves et al, 2020) and create social reserve that can be associated with social health that enables attendees to have the capacity to better manage the challenges associated with dementia . As with other research our findings suggest that belonging to a group like SIDS café can foster peer support, social inclusion and belonging (Lee et al, 2020, Dupuis et al 2012. The importance of peer support and acceptance was a central finding and was interwoven with other perceived experiences such as safety, inclusion and friendship.…”

How Singing can Help People With Dementia and Their Family Care-Partners: A Mixed Studies Systematic Review With Narrative Synthesis, Thematic Synthesis, and Meta-Integration

“…But then since I've been hearing him singing and looking and behaving like a normal man and I think "that's him, he's still my husband in there." (care-partner, quoted in Davidson and Almeida, 2014) Davidson and Fedele, 2011;Hara, 2011;Davidson and Almeida, 2014;McCabe et al, 2015;Osman et al, 2016;Unadkat et al, 2016;Clark et al, 2018;Mittelman and Papayannopoulou, 2018;Tamplin et al, 2018;Lee S. et al, 2020).…”

“…Participants with dementia and care-partners could both participate in singing, thereby creating a sense of equality between them (Camic et al, 2011;Hara, 2011;McCabe et al, 2015;Unadkat et al, 2016;Lee S. et al, 2020). Group singing afforded a sense of safety because participants could blend in and not stand out (Camic et al, 2011;Hara, 2011;Unadkat et al, 2016;Clark et al, 2018;Mittelman and Papayannopoulou, 2018), and autonomy to choose their degree and type of participation (McCabe et al, 2015;Lee S. et al, 2020). Davidson and Fedele (2011) noted that some participants needed support to join in and while others were able to participate independently.…”

“…For example, group size, length/timing, location/venue, repertoire, and materials used with sessions etc. (Camic et al, 2011;Davidson and Fedele, 2011;Hara, 2011;McCabe et al, 2015;Osman et al, 2016;Unadkat et al, 2016;Clark et al, 2018;Lee S. et al, 2020). Participants observed staff or volunteers going out of their way to ensure that the program was welcoming (Hara, 2011).…”

“…Participants in the group singing programs experienced a sense of connexion and belonging with other group members (Camic et al, 2011;Hara, 2011;Dassa and Amir, 2014;Caporella, 2014, 2018;Osman et al, 2016;Unadkat et al, 2016;Clark et al, 2018;Mittelman and Papayannopoulou, 2018;Lee S. et al, 2020). Participants suggested that singing enabled participants to connect with one another through the sharing of experiences of dementia (Camic et al, 2011;Clark et al, 2018;Lee S. et al, 2020). It was suggested that the act of singing itself fostered these connexions and enabled participants with varying abilities and experiences to connect (Hara, 2011;Unadkat et al, 2016;Mittelman and Papayannopoulou, 2018).…”