Talented Bexhill care home resident living with dementia writes special song to help others
George, a resident of MHA Richmond care home in Bexhill has vascular dementia.
He hopes the video of him performing his song, ‘Dementia and Me’ will be shared far and wide and wants others to hear the voices of people living with dementia, helping them to see that life still has humour and joy.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdGeorge wrote the song during his weekly music therapy sessions at the care home with music therapist Lori Standen. He helped choose the chords for Lori, so she could accompany him on the piano, and by the next session he had written a full page of lyrics.
George has enjoyed music throughout his life. As a young man, he played harmonica and sang in a friend’s band. He was also a member of a local choir in Bexhill.
George was born in Sunderland in 1948 but grew up in Islington, London. He left school at 15 and his career has included working in a coal yard, as a bus driver and owning a convenience store.
He has two sons. He played football for Palmers Green Rangers and London Transport and was a keen 110-metre hurdles athlete.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdLori Standen said: “This is an incredible achievement by George. He worked so hard on his song during our sessions, and really wanted to show the lighter side of living with dementia. We’re all so proud of him!”
George added “I thought it was a good subject to write about. I wanted the song to be relatable – perhaps someone out there is going through the same as me, or someone’s mum or dad, wife or husband, friend or loved one is living with dementia.”
MHA is a leading provider of music therapy. Thanks to charitable income it prides itself on being able to deliver the service at no additional cost to residents.
Music therapy helps to alleviate isolation and the symptoms for those living with dementia by helping to unlock special memories, reconnect with their loved ones and express emotions and feelings that other forms of communication cannot. To hear the song on Youtube search for George’s Song Dementia and Me.