Our memories define us. Long after we lose loved ones, the memory of their love sustains us. Decades after leaving the house we grew up in or the school where we learned to read and write, our thoughts may turn back to them and remind us of the enjoyment of making friends, learning new things or simply watching a favourite TV programme.
What about the men and women who must live with the cruelty of losing these memories? There are an estimated 50 million dementia sufferers in the world today, with 900,000 in the UK alone. They fight a daily battle to retain their identity. The good news is, they aren’t fighting alone.
Musical Memories Choir started in 2014 with the mission of bringing together groups of dementia sufferers and their carers to share the pleasure of singing and forming new friendships. Each Wednesday from 11am to 12.30pm, Helen Hunter and Ros Evans leads an enthusiastic choir at Christ Well Church in Manselton. Each Friday they bring their talents to Linden Church in West Cross. Seeing Helen and Ros in action, it’s impossible not to be drawn into the performance and be part of the shared experience. And the smiles on the faces of each singer only tell part of the story.
The brain functions that create memories are the first parts to be affected as dementia develops. But music connects with the cortical and subcortical areas in our brains, which are less affected. This is why dementia sufferers can still remember and take pleasure in songs from deep into their past, even when memory loss is taking a heavy toll.
Our implicit memory systems are robust, and the memory beyond our consciousness is very powerful. Music triggers subconscious emotional memory. For dementia sufferers, this means musical memory is the last thing to fade, and music that triggers an emotional response is a hugely powerful and positive force.
That will come as no surprise to anyone who has spent time in the company of Helen and Ros. Their joyful interpretations of classic songs create an atmosphere of community, from the first note to the last. And while the face-to-face Musical Memories experience is highly recommended, anyone who can’t make it to Manselton on a Wednesday or West Cross on a Friday can join in with online sessions at the beginning and end of each week.
When choir members hear these songs and feel positive memories wash over them, they’re not just happy. They’re themselves again. The message from Musical Memories is simple and uplifting.
You’re still you.
Learn more about Musical Memories here:
