Music is proving to be surprising medicine for an incurable condition.
Logan man Ross Wiseman created the Logan Dementia Choir after being diagnosed with dementia himself, in the hope of giving the dementia community companionship, joy and musical therapy.
When the front door to Bethania Community Centre opens on a Wednesday afternoon, the harmonious voices of the Logan Dementia Choir fill the air.
The 20-strong choir began rehearsing just four weeks ago and operates in conjunction with Logan Dementia Alliance – a not-for-profit aiming to make Logan “dementia-friendly”.
Mr Wiseman said the choir was a useful way to unite the Logan dementia community and help to overcome not only memory loss, but the depression and loneliness which often followed a dementia diagnosis.
He knows from personal experience.
Mr Wiseman said his diagnosis four years ago spiralled him into a depression and made him question his worth.
He said he’d lived an “active” and “meaningful” life before his diagnosis, serving in the navy and then as a social worker.
After diagnosis he lost his driver’s license and independence, but not his passion to serve the community.
“[Dementia] affects everything,” Mr Wiseman said.
“The biggest thing I had to battle was depression.”
He said depression was induced by isolation, which was induced by decreasing independence.
“I can’t go out by myself,” he said.
He said carers of dementia patients also face great struggle and it was important for them to interact with the community.
After seeing an English choir use music to treat dementia, Mr Wiseman did some research.
He stumbled upon ‘reminiscence therapy’, a treatment which involves the discussion of past events and experiences (through photos, technology and music) to trigger a dementia patient’s memories.
“Singing in choirs carries great benefits for people with dementia and their… family or friends,” Mr Wiseman said.
The groups accept people with a dementia diagnosis and their friends, family and carers.
“The rewards [of the choir] are abundant,” he said.
The conductor of the choir, Gail Godfrey, said the music was a “social and cognitive stimulant” for the participants.
Mr Wiseman agreed.
“You get to make lots of close friends who are all in the same boat,” he said.
In Logan, that boat is holding over 2000 people with dementia, and the number is growing.
The Logan Dementia Choir have their first performance at Memory Lane Cafe at Underwood in November.
They are currently in search of new members.
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