SingFit is a technology platform designed by music therapy professionals that includes “singing, movement, trivia, and reminiscence to stimulate and activate the whole brain and body.” As per SingFit website, their current mission is “to create robust lives for people as they age through the intentional application of prescribed singing. [About SingFit: Therapeutic Music app for seniors. SingFit. (n.d.). https://www.singfit.com/about]

SingFit is designed for enrichment directors to use in group sessions to facilitate interactive cognitive connections for individuals, especially those with all types of dementia. The multifaceted benefit of music-based activity is backed by science. “Singing provides a full-brain bi-hemispheric workout for increased brain plasticity which can positively regulate cortisol, dopamine, and endorphins.” [ “The Science of Singing” SingFit, www.singfit.com/science. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.]

“Within our goal of providing meaningful experiences, the Enrichment Center at the DAC schedules many activities involving music. A sure favorite has been karaoke. It was easy to see the positive effects occurring within those participating in singing, but it also became obvious that there was a natural exclusion for many. There are several individuals in our program who are experiencing cognitive decline with age, and others with limited cognition due to their disabilities. The challenge of reading or memorization of a song prevents them from the benefits of the karaoke activity. Research into ways to adapt music activities for the population we serve led to SingFit.” Bonny Martelle, Enrichment Center Coordinator.

We are now well into our third set of SingFit playlists and singing along with some of the greatest musical artists throughout history including The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, The Beatles and many more. We also love testing our knowledge and learning new facts about music history, culture, geography, and of course, the “who’s who” within the music industry over the years. We have sung nearly 300 songs since the introduction of SingFit into our program, and each session brings a room full of smiles and easy connectedness, making SingFit one our favorite activities each week.