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Faith in Older People

Enabling a better understanding of the importance of the spiritual dimension to the well-being of older people

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Singing For Joy

Posted on 4th November 2014

We were treated to a great post-lunch waker-upper at the recent Arts in Care Seminar. Debra Salem, a folk-and-blues singer (visit Debra’s site and click the juke box symbol for a blast of her fabulous voice) addressed the 100+ audience. ‘We’re going to sing together,’ she said, ‘let it all hang out!’ And I must confess that I had an inner cringe. But I was completely wrong. We went through some puffing and blowing exercises and soon were belting it out – all together, in rounds, and then, amazingly, in harmony – all within a 15 minute time slot!

Just before lunch, Margaret Meagher, from Arts and Health Australia, had extolled the virtues of singing and quoted an article in the Independent newspaper a few years ago which claimed that there are now more community choirs in the UK than fish and chip shops!

FiOP runs courses on worshipping with people with dementia, on which our inspiring associates Mary Moffett and Sue Kirkbride remind us again and again that music is a great way of helping people with advanced dementia to reach joyfully back into their sense of themselves and of God. And we hear frequent tales of delight from Alzheimer Scotland’s choirs for people with early onset dementia. Maybe we should have a singing day … ‘getting in touch with your inner Maria Callas / Proclaimers / Petula Clark’ … any takers?

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There is a growing awareness among both families and professionals that spiritual care is an essential component of holistic, person-centre care. FiOP has developed a range of projects to address today’s challenges:

  • Dementia care and faith communities
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© 2017 Faith in Older People is a registered company SC 322915. Limited by guarantee with charitable status. Registered Charity No. SC038225. Registered Address: 21a Grosvenor Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 5EL

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