A Calgary volunteer engages patients at a local care facility to help them remember the good times and is our inspiring Albertan this week.
Alzheimer’s disease steals the memories of those who suffer from it and many forget what happened recently, but old familiar things like songs, often stay with them.
Many of the patients at the Bethany Care Centre in Harvest Hills have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or some form of dementia.
For most, short term memory is gone but many remember the songs they learned years ago.
Kathleen Chudleigh and her team of volunteers from Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church hold a sing-a-long once a week and lead the patients in singing songs that date back as far as their childhoods.
“When I heard that this place was built and was brand new I came up right away and said would they like us to come and sing to the patients. It makes their day a little happier I think,” said Chudleigh.
Lise Blanchette is the volunteer coordinator at the Bethany Care Centre and she appreciates what the group brings to the patients there.
“They bring a lot of life to the residents as well when they come in to the facility every Wednesday morning. It's just, they're jumping up and dancing and singing, so it really, even we, even brings the staff spirits up,” said Blanchette. “It's amazing even though they might not remember what they had for breakfast they can remember those songs. So a lot of them remember and sing.”
Chudleigh says it's touching to watch some of the residents bring special objects to sing to. “Some of the ladies over the years have brought their dolls and they sing to the dolls which gives them comfort. “
At 84, she is older than many of the people she plays for but plans to keep going as long as she can.
For all she's doing to brighten the lives of the residents at Bethany Care Centre in Harvest Hills, Kathleen Chudleigh is our Inspiring Albertan this week.
(With files from Darrel Janz)
