Inclusive Choir for Persons Living with Dementia: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Inclusive choirs promote social inclusion by providing the opportunity for persons living with dementia, caregivers and volunteers to sing together as equals. The aim of this qualitative study is to present the development of an inclusive choir in a day care center through rehearsal process and the feedback from the participants. Twelve persons living with dementia, four staff members and one volunteer participated in fourteen rehearsals led by a choirmaster, leading up to a concert with Christmas-themed songs. Persons living with dementia showed confidence, enjoyment, consistency and learning contributing to their empowerment and engagement throughout the study. Regarding volunteers, a shift from stigma associated with negative representations about dementia to social inclusion were observed. Care staff were point of reference for persons living with dementia and as the study progressed, they moved from the position of carers to singing partners. For all participants, a group cohesion and a sense of being connected developed. Such approaches contribute to raise awareness of dementia and reducing the stigma associated and to promote social inclusion of persons living with dementia.