Group Singing with Props

This is a wonderful multi-sensory activity for residents living with dementia.

Object:

• Promote Alertness
• Sensory Stimulation

Preparation:

In planning this activity, gather props relevant to songs to use as sensory stimulation.
For instance, for the songs suggested you could consider:

• a teddy bear,
• roses,
• a dust shovel,
• a packet of tea,
• a wedding veil,
• a soft toy dog

Instructions:

Seat four or five residents in a semi-circle; close enough to be able to pass objects to each other but do not over-crowd them.

Show them an item and ask which song it reminds them of.

Pass the item around and wait for each person to express their opinions.

You may hum the song to assist them. The songs for the above objects are:

• Teddy Bear’s Picnic,
• Roses of Picardy / Rose of Tralee
• My Old Man is a Dustman
• Tea for Two
• Bicycle Built for Two
• How Much is that Dog in the Window.

Do not feel discouraged if at first there is little response, it pays to persevere in my experience.

As with all activities there should be a starting and a finishing point, so residents can look forward to the next session. Half an hour to 45 minutes is adequate.

Adapting the Activity

Point out colors in a resident's clothes and ask them to remember songs with those colours;

• Blue Danube,
• Red Sails in the Sunset,
• Greensleeves
• etc.