Does a ‘singing together group’ improve the quality of life of people with a dementia and their carers? A pilot evaluation study.

Ten people with dementia (PWD) and their family carers participated in a Singing Together Group for 10 weeks and measures of mood, quality of life, PWD’s behavioural and psychological problems, activities of daily living and cognitive status were measured at pre, post and 10-week follow-up. Engagement levels were monitored during the sessions and care partners asked to rate each session. Additional qualitative information was obtained through interview pre-post and at follow-up and subjected to thematic analysis. The results showed that PWD were deteriorating slowly over the course of the study on all measures but that they and their carers’ quality of life remained relatively stable. Engagement levels during the group were very high and attendance excellent. Qualitative data gave strong support to the group having promoted wellbeing of all participants and Nolan’s ‘Senses Framework’ was used to explore this further. Future research directions are suggested.