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Canberra's first dementia-friendly choir is making a positive difference in the lives of people living with the disease, as well as their partners and carers.
The Alchemy Chorus was jointly created by conductor Brian Triglone and the charity Alzheimer's Australia late last year.
"We wanted to develop something inclusive, they had to come with a carer or a partner," Mr Triglone said.
"It's been very, very important for the carers and I hadn't seen that coming."
Carer Don Aitken and his wife Bev are among up to 60 choir members who rehearse on Thursday nights.
"We go as a person with the dementia and the carer," Mrs Aitken said.
"So there's always someone's hand to hold onto.
"I always know what day of the week it is if it's Thursday.
"Terrific Thursday ... it's the best day of the week as far as I'm concerned."
Creating the choir to apply art therapy as a treatment was part of Alzheimer's Australia's strategic plan.
The charity said research had proven that the arts enhanced the lives of people living with dementia and their carers.
"We are using the arts instead of anti-psychotic medication," Heather Clarke of Alzheimer's Australia ACT said.
"When people are unsettled or if they're agitated we are not giving them an anti-psychotic.
"What we are doing is we are putting on their favourite tune and that is producing a decreased agitation and people are starting to settle."
But Mr Triglone was quick to emphasise that the performing choir was not just a singalong.
"You can go and have a singalong any old time but to feel that you are doing something that has got a purpose is much more meaningful," he said.
Ms Clarke said ongoing research was needed to assess art therapy as an alternative treatment for people living with Alzheimer's.
"Coming to the Alchemy Chorus reconnects people with the world," she said.
"We know that we have benefits in quality of life and people's feeling of belonging, but those other benefits are yet to be determined."
Mrs Aitken and her husband said they did not need any further convincing.
"Whatever the ailment is, singing makes it disappear," Mrs Aitken said.
"It frees your lungs and your heart and you stand taller and you breath more deeply.
"It's just physically good for you."
Mr Aitken agreed the benefits his wife experienced were overwhelming.
"There's a tendency when you have dementia to retreat," he said.
"This [choir] pushes you out into the world into contact with other human beings and that's good for you."
If you or anyone you know needs assistance contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
Topics: alzheimers-and-dementia, music, health, aged-care, act, canberra-2600