STAND IN THE LIGHT MEMORY CHOIR INC
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Mission Statement
Stand in the Light Memory Choir uses the power of singing to move people with memory loss and their care partners to rediscover themselves, make friends, laugh together and contribute to their community.
About This Cause
Purpose/Project: The purpose of the Stand in the Light Memory Choir is threefold. First, to meet the social needs of people living with memory loss conditions through singing and social interaction. People living with dementia yearn for opportunities to engage socially and continue to be part of the community. A care partner expressed, “From November through the beginning of January when we did not have rehearsals, mom became depressed, sad, and just didn’t want to do anything. As a result, she got sick and pretty much just slept most of the time. There was nothing for her to look forward to. She was lost without the weekly routine. Once the choir started, her health immediately improved, her strength returned and she hasn’t missed a rehearsal. The choir also has broadened mom’s circle of friends.” Second, to provide an opportunity for care partners to connect, reduce anxiety, change attitudes, and enlighten the mood. A care partner described her experience in the choir as, “Inspirational!” It has changed my view about dementia, I have learned how to relax, and enjoy each day as it comes.” Third, to improve understanding of dementia in the community. The stigma surrounding dementia is the result of misperceptions caused, in part, by a lack of public awareness and understanding of the disease. Choir members are creating a powerful voice by showing the community they can live well, despite their diagnosis. A participant stated, “What I really like about the choir, is regardless of the fact that I have Alzheimer’s, it does not interfere with my ability to sing. So, this is a place where I can be like everybody else… it’s like a freedom for us.” How Does Your Project Address an Important Community Health Need? Alzheimer’s disease is the only chronic disease of the top ten that cannot be cured, prevented or slowed. One in nine people over the age of 65 have dementia, almost 50% of those 85 and over have dementia. In Eau Claire County, these numbers result in more than 2,000 people currently living with this disease. This number does not include the large number of people living with dementia, but have not actually received a diagnosis. These demographics tell us that until there is a substantial breakthrough in prevention or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, we will see a steady increase in the number of people living with dementia over the next several years due to the growing number of baby boomers. A diagnosis of dementia not only affects the person with dementia, but also their family, friends, co-workers, employer and the community. A diagnosis can also leave people feeling in shock, disbelief, fear, feeling cut off, and feeling very alone. People living with dementia will often isolate themselves, stop going to the grocery store, bank, restaurants, movies, or out with friends because of fear of “forgetting my words,” “not knowing what to say,” “what if I can’t find the bathroom.” The Stand in the Light Memory Choir addresses several of these points to help manage the disease even though there is no way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias at this time, there are ways to manage the disease. Previous epidemiologic studies have suggested that having a large number of social contacts, having satisfying social relationships, and participating in productive or cognitively stimulating activities are associated with reduced feelings of loneliness, decline in feelings of depression and anxiety, increased level of healthy lifestyle changes, improved sleep, and promoting independence. Promote quality of life for as long as possible. How Does Your Request Incorporate Research and/or Best Practices to Support Your Program/Project? For people living with dementia, singing in a choir goes beyond the entertainment value. There is growing evidence that singing can help stimulate seemingly lost memories and even help maintain cognitive functioning. According to the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, singing was found to be beneficial for working memory, executive function, and orientation particularly in the earlier stages of dementia, whereas music listening was associated with cognitive benefits only in persons with a more advanced level of dementia. Other studies to support the benefits of singing include memory recall, positive changes in moods and emotional states, a sense of control over life, non-pharmacological management of pain and discomfort, and opportunities to interact socially. A caregiver in the choir recently commented about her mom and the social interaction, “Mom is so proud to be in the choir. She just beams when we talk about the Stand in the Light choir. Her sense of humor has come back as well. The Stand in the Light Memory Choir is being modeled in the same way of the Giving Voice Initiative (GVI). Giving Voice is a chorus that began in Minneapolis, Minnesota in September, 2014. Co-founders of the choir were struck by recent discoveries about the powerful effects of music on the lives of people with dementia. Both had cared for parents with dementia and felt a call to contribute their experiences and energy to building a new program that allowed people with dementia and their caregivers to live better. After receiving funding for the pilot program, they joined with the MacPhail Center for Music to launch the first Giving Voice Chorus. The chorus now has a toolkit that discusses best practices and recommendations for developing a dementia choir. What is the Geographical Area Served by Your Program? When face to face rehearsals occur the Chippewa Valley area – 100,000+ population The virtual choir is reaching internationally. Describe the Population Who Will Benefit From Your Request The Stand in the Light Memory Choir has a community choir feel and presentation that celebrates the potential of people living with dementia, their care partners, and volunteers. Volunteers include members of the community, students, church congregation, and employees of other organizations. The choir had their first concert in November of 2016 and more than 150 people were in attendance including family members, friends, and community members from Eau Claire and from other counties including Chippewa, Dunn and as far away as Minneapolis, Minnesota. The concert was shared on social media and spread across the state of Wisconsin. The Stand in the Light Memory Choir is also helping the Chippewa Valley become a dementia friendly community. A dementia friendly community is one cares about its neighbors; listens to the feeling of its residents with dementia; sees the signs and understands the needs; and a community that acts. With this in mind, it creates and develops better citizens and members of the community. Address Short-Term, Intermediate and/or Long-Term Outcomes and the Strategies You Will Use The Stand in the Light Memory Choir has been in existence since August, 2016. Many outcomes have, at present, been established and will be ongoing. The project is designed to: Create a safe place, free of judgment, for singers living with dementia and their care partners. Improve quality of life, as singers living with dementia will gain a sense of purpose and a source of pride. Provide an opportunity for care partners to have a fun experience with their loved ones. Reduce the stigma of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in the Chippewa Valley resulting in a dementia friendly community Provide a virtual choir experience through online presentation of rehearsals and showcase concerts