An Intergenerational Choir Formed to Lessen Alzheimer’s Disease Stigma in College Students and Decrease the Social Isolation of People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Their Family Members: A Pilot Study

Journal

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias

Year

2014

Volume

29

Issue

3

First Page

425

Last Page

434

Abstract

The intergenerational choir was formed for the purpose of combating the stigma of Alzheimer's disease in college students, and in that process also lessening the social isolation of people with AD and their family members. The choir was composed of 13 college students and 13 people with AD and a family member. Data from the college students were gathered through semi-structured open-ended questions on attitudes and knowledge about AD, collected at three points in time over 8 weeks of rehearsals. Data were collected from the people with AD and their family members through a focus group and observations over 8 weeks of rehearsals. Results a show a decrease in social isolation for the older choir members, and for the college students: a decrease in negative attitudes, an increase in positive attitudes and themes of recognizing capabilities, expanded understanding of AD, reduced stigma, and reduced social discomfort. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Music and Health Institute Terms

Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Discomfort; Elderly; Mental Health; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Psychological Outcomes; Recreative Music Methods; Singing a Song; Social Isolation; Subjective Reports

Indexed Terms

Alzheimer’s disease; stigma; college students; social isolation; family members; choir; Elderly; Elderly; Alzheimer Disease; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Intergenerational Relations; Pilot Projects; Social Stigma; Students; Universities; Alzheimer's Disease; Singing; Age Differences

Study Type

Case Study; Qualitative Methods

Disciplines

Neurology

Document Type

Article

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