Sing their song = Make a Connection

Activity: Sing their song = Make a Connection

Target participant group: This activity was created for people in Dementia Care.

Therapeutic potential of this activity: Making a connection and engaging someone with Dementia hopefully is the outcome of this singing.

What other groups can benefit from this activity?: Working one on one with someone of any disability is a great aspect for anyone in the world with a disability. There really are no limitations on who can and cannot be benefited.

What groups may not be as appropriate for this activity?: Really everyone is appropriate for this activity, but someone who has difficulties speaking may not be appropriate because they can’t really sing along. This doesn’t mean that they can’t just listen to someone singing to them.

Activity description: Singing is a great way to communicate with someone in a different way, and a great way to keep things okay between everyone when helping with personal care. It brings people out of isolation and can be an activity all in itself. Before you approach someone, make sure you know their personality and what songs mean to them, and which songs have meaning. Then you can just go about and sing along with that person and keep them engaged.

Resources needed: Only resources needed are your voice and then someone to sing with. You can have music to sing along to if wanted.

Best leadership style for this activity: Leading the sing along is the best way to lead this activity. If you don’t start the song, then more than likely they won’t start it unless they are very much engaged. Make sure that you know the songs that the person enjoys and not singing something that someone with dementia doesn’t enjoy or doesn’t know the words too.

Where did you find this activity?: I found this activity online at www.recreationtherapy.com searching though all the different activities they have on that site.

Where can others find more information on this activity?: I don’t think there is much else there is to know about this activity. Most of it is all based off of you and just singing a song that your participant enjoys.