Dementia friends get jazzy for 40s style sing-along

People with dementia were given the chance to put on their glad-rags and recall memories from their childhood in a 1940s-style singing session.

Alzheimers Dementia Support (ADS) hosted its Singing for Pleasure session at Maidenhead Library in St Ives Road on Thursday, May 22, to brighten up the afternoon for dementia patients and their carers.

Led by jazz singer Julia George, residents from Clara Court Care Home in Courthouse Road warmed their vocal chords before being treated to a performance from a trio of jazz musicians.

Pensioner Jim Sharpe went to the session with his friend, 73-year-old Angela Murphy.

The 78-year-old, from Stirling Close in Windsor, has Parkinson’s disease which causes dementia.

He said: "This music makes me remember my childhood and my parents.

"More importantly I look forward to it and it gives me something to do instead of sitting staring at wallpaper."

The event is part of the Alzheimer’s Society launch of Dementia Friends, a campaign that hopes to change people’s attitudes about the condition.

Head of public health in the Royal Borough, Rutuja Kulkarni, said: "Events like this can help people with dementia live a better quality of life.

"By talking, dancing and singing they feel content and lively.

"It brings back memories and helps their well-being."

The campaign is part of a Government initiative to raise awareness of the condition and the early symptoms.

Visit dementiafriends.org.uk to sign up to become a Dementia Friend.