Bupa care home shortlisted for ‘Best Innovation’ in Scottish Dementia Awards

A Bupa care home in Glasgow has been praised for its achievements after being nominated for the ‘Best Innovation’ in the Continuing Care category in the Scottish Dementia Awards.

Golfhill Care Home 'Remi Sing’ initiative – a group sing-along activity aimed at improving the lives of people with dementia – has proved to be a huge success among residents and carers who enjoy the opportunity to get together and sing.

The Dennistoun-based care home's Remi Sing initiative was inspired by home manager Susan MacDonald. She said: “Golfhill's Remi Sing is a ground breaking initiative in Scotland and has grown to involve more than 200 people – staff and residents living in Glasgow care homes and the surrounding area – with the aim of forming friendships and just having some fun.

“Many residents can feel isolated when they first enter a care home. It is the job of the staff to make sure that everybody is welcome and Remi Sing does just that.”

The idea is loosely based on an initiative introduced by Alzheimer’s Society called Singing for the Brain, which found that people with advancing dementia were still able to recall music and lyrics from their youth.

The Remi Sing afternoon begins with more upbeat songs by Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra to raise the spirits of the residents and winds down to a finale where staff and residents sing traditional Scottish songs including 'Auld Lang Syne'.

Commenting on the success of Remi Sing, Ms MacDonald added: “We always receive positive feedback from the residents, their families and the staff at the home, all of whom really enjoy the afternoon out and are keen to go again.

“The most moving part of the afternoon is always when the piper arrives. He walks around the room whilst playing traditional Scottish songs the effect is very powerful. It always gives the residents and the staff goosebumps.

“The best thing about the nomination in the Scottish Dementia Awards is that it raises awareness of what we are trying to achieve when we organise these afternoons, so we are looking forward to seeing the Remi Sing initiative continue to grow.”

The next Remi Sing event will take place in October 2015 and will be harvest themed, followed a Christmas Jumper Remi Sing event in December.

Scotland's Dementia Awards will take place on 24 September 2015 at The Marriott Hotel in Glasgow.

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