Singing From The Heart
Music has such an emotional pull, doesn’t it? It can make us laugh, cry, reflect – and it can soothe, stimulate and bring to mind long-forgotten memories. It’s especially important for older people – including those with dementia or Alzheimer’s as it can also trigger long-forgotten memories.
Whether it’s stage musicals, sixties soul, 70s funk, operatic arias or songs from the silver screen, studies have shown that music promotes better health through the enjoyment of listening, dancing and singing. In other words, music makes us feel happy!
Singing in particular, whether alone or as part of a choir, is also known to have multiple benefits – physically, emotionally and even neurologically. It’s a great workout for the body, especially the lungs, and can make our breathing easier through a stronger diaphragm, as well as improving posture. Singing is also thought to improve sleep and as the act of singing triggers the release of feel-good chemicals such as dopamine, it’s also a natural anti-depressant. And for those who sing with a choir, they may find their self-confidence is boosted through interaction with other people – especially important for those with speech difficulties as a result of a stroke.
Here at Birchwood House, we love the sound of music – especially singing – and we’re thrilled to welcome the local Girl Guides from Speldhurst and the choir from the church, as they come to sing old songs for us before Christmas. Our residents also really enjoy visits from Paul who comes and sings with them once a month!
Ella Fitzgerald once said: “The only thing better than singing – is more singing”.
What kind of music do you love to sing along to? Here are some of our old favourites!
- The Andrews Sisters
- Benny Goodman
- Bing Crosby
- Glenn Miller
- Judy Garland
- Dinah Shore
- Doris Day
- Nat King Cole
- Patti Page
- Tony Bennett
- Dean Martin
- Connie Francis
- Elvis Presley
- Roy Orbison
- The Rolling Stones
- Simon & Garfunkel
- The Everly Brothers
- Frank Sinatra
- Sammy Davis, Jr.
- Aretha Franklin
- The Beatles
- Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons
We love music and singing here at Birchwood House and have hosted many a party for our residents to enjoy them!
Other articles you may like
- Christmas crafts
Merry Christmas! This month is filled with festive fun for our residents, which means all sorts of Christmas crafts to get involved with. And these activities are suitable for anyone; crafting is a great way to boost mood, stimulate our brains, and make memories with those around us. We’re sharing a run-down of how we’ve been making the most of this holiday season – use it as inspiration and show us anything you make! - Clementine Panna Cotta
Clementine Panna Cotta This dessert has been going down a treat with our residents! Inspired by taste buds, thisContinue reading “Clementine Panna Cotta” - Gentle exercises for older adults
When we get older, finding ways to move our body can get harder. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Using low-impact, gentle exercise is a great way to stay active without putting too much strain on ourselves. Regular movement is important for a number of reasons, not to mention the physical and mental health benefits. A recent report by Care England even showed that regular physical activity is improving the health, confidence, and wellbeing of residents in care homes, and could even deliver savings of up to £96 million to the NHS. - Mediterranean Roasted Chicken Breasts
This is a dish packed with flavour and spice. The chicken is filled with amino acids to support muscle growth and brain function, whilst the vegetables are rich in fibre and antioxidants. Both warming and filling, we’ve taken inspiration from The Cafe Sucre Farine to make this healthy, easy dinner. - How did our residents celebrate National Baking Week?
Happy National Baking Week! From Monday (October 13th) to Sunday (October 19th), we’re celebrating the joy and benefits of baking. Because, as you may have already seen on our Facebook, baking is a firm favourite at Birchwood House. Whether it’s sweet treats or savoury goods, we make sure baking is a regular activity. There are always recipes to try, techniques to learn, and opportunities to discover something new. - Baked Salmon and Creamy Chive Sauce
This baked salmon is perfect for our residents, filled with omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health and brain function. We were inspired by HelloFresh to pair it with a creamy chive sauce, which went down a treat! - How we use colour in a care home
Colour in a care home affects residents more than we think. It has a direct impact on how we view our environment, which then influences our emotions and wellbeing. And this is especially true for older adults, as colour can help our residents better move around the home, and better distinguish the objects around them. - Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Pineapple upside down cake has been around since the 1920s, and its tangy flavour hasContinue reading “Pineapple Upside Down Cake” - Birchwood House review: thoughts from the community
Birchwood House review: thoughts from the community This month, Birchwood House completed the Quality Assurance Questionnaire, a survey forContinue reading “Birchwood House review: thoughts from the community”
