title: Evaluating the potential of group singing to enhance the well-being of older people.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of a singing program developed specifically for older community-dwelling people on measures of health and well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  An eight-week singing program was developed and evaluated using standardised measures of health and well-being, measures designed to examine specific singing program outcomes, and semi-structured interviews. Participants aged 70 years and older were recruited through a home care service provider (n = 17) and an advertisement in a community newspaper (n = 19).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Standard outcome measures indicated that the program had little effect on health and well-being. However, study-specific measures indicated that many participants had positive gains. Those in the home care group required more assistance to attend and continue in the program than those in the general community. Participants reported that the community-based singing facilitator was essential to the program's success.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Well-structured community-based singing programs have the potential to impact positively upon the well-being of older people, but program viability depends on support with recruitment, transport and funding.
authors: School of Music, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
authors: Jane W
authors: JW
authors: Davidson
authors: Beverley
authors: B
authors: McNamara
authors: Lorna
authors: L
authors: Rosenwax
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Lange
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Jenkins
authors: Gill
authors: G
authors: Lewin
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D063346:Singing; D012919:Social Behavior; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: community musician; singing; social capital benefit; socio-emotional well-being; well-being