Singing out: The Experience of Being Involved in an Inclusive Choir for People Living With Dementia in Regional Australia

OBJECTIVE: This research explored the experience of facilitating and participating in an inclusive choir for people living with dementia in a regional Australian setting. SETTING: Sing Out Choir, a dementia-inclusive community-based choir in regional New South Wales. DESIGN: Two focus group discussions were held to explore the experience of choir stakeholders. Audio transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five current members of the Sing Out Choir, including people living with dementia (n = 8), informal carers (n = 8), volunteers (n = 6), and choir staff (n = 3). RESULTS: Four themes were identified following analysis of the discussions: active encouragement promotes engagement with the choir; the choir as a place of inclusiveness and belonging; the positive benefits of choir participation; and the complexities of establishing and sustaining a dementia-inclusive choir in a regional setting. CONCLUSION: The Sing Out choir provides an important opportunity for meaningful social connection for people living with dementia and their carers in this regional area. Establishing and sustaining dementia-inclusive choirs in rural and regional settings require significant time and commitment to secure initial and ongoing funding, appropriately experienced staff, an appropriate venue, and volunteer support.