Chorus Gives Voice to Those With Alzheimer’s

By Alan Mozes

 

New York — Late December wouldn’t be the same without the uplifting sound of holiday choirs, but there’s a unique chorus in New York City, called “The Unforgettables,” that’s bringing new harmony to singers and audiences alike.

That’s because the chorus’ 22 members include 11 men and women diagnosed with early to middle-stage dementia, including dementia linked to Alzheimer’s disease, paired up with 11 of their caregivers — a spouse, child or friend.

Each practice and recital is an act of togetherness and renewed strength in the face of illness, one of the chorus’ founders said.

“The pleasure this process has given participants was clear from the start,” said researcher Mary S. Mittelman, who spearheaded the choir’s inauguration back in June, along with colleagues from the NYU Langone Medical Center’s Center of Excellence on Brain Aging. “The chorus has proven to be a wonderful place to be, where no one feels stigmatized.”