Founded in 2017, the Voices in Motion Choir (ViM) helps people with dementia regain memories and foster social connections.
“Social isolation is linked to elevated stress hormones and inflammation, poor sleep hygiene and immunosuppression – well-known risk factors for numerous diseases ... and death,” according to ViM. “Research findings indicate that social isolation poses a health risk comparable to being sedentary or smoking 15 cigarettes per day.”
To help combat loneliness, and the negative health outcomes it can cause, ViM rehearses every Tuesday and Wednesday to provide people with dementia and their caregivers a fun activity to participate in almost year-round.
“People who wouldn’t know each other come together once a week and friendships are formed,” said Christine Chepyha, ViM’s musical director. “There’s laughter and there’s positive chatter, and they’re just so thrilled to be together, doing something they all love.”
The act of singing can also provide health benefits.
“Social singing helps diminish levels of stress and provides a better regulation of cortisol, which is your stress hormone,” said Chepyha. “Our breathing becomes regulated, our heartbeats become regulated, it encourages certain areas of the brain to engage.”
Research also suggests that choral singing can help people with dementia regain memories.
“Social singing may result in reduced demands on brain function, which can then result in the use of these freed-up resources for ... memory and cognition,” according to ViM.
This year, the non-profit is looking for "duets" – a person with dementia and their caregiver – to join the choir.
Visit voicesinmotionchoirs.org or email voicesinmotionchoirs.org for more information.
