Music helped man with Alzheimer's: a carpool karaoke sensation
An example of the positive impact that listening to music and singing can have for people with dementia
This is the touching story of a 80-year-old man with Alzheimer's disease and of his son.
Ted McDermott has become an Internet sensation after their own version of carpool karaoke as his son Simon drove him around singing ‘Quando, Quando, Quando’ song.
This performance and other hits that were filmed by his son Simon, then Simon posted the footage on YouTube channel, and that's it, people really do seem to love them!
Simon revealed on Good Morning Britain:
"Dad's confused, he's started to forget who I am, and my mum as well but since we've been doing the music he's a lot happier, enjoying life a lot more"
Ted, also known as The Songaminute Man because of the number of tracks he could remember off by heart, was diagnosed with dementia in 2013, following a long career as a singer who spent most of his life touring and performing for the public in pubs and clubs.
His son Simon McDermott has revealed how singing in the car has helped his dad deal with his Alzheimer's disease and now he would like to give back to the Alzheimer's Society for all the help the organization provided during their bad days.
Their videos are indeed being used to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society .
Michael Dent, Director of Fundraising at the charity, wrote on its website:
"Alzheimer's Society is extremely grateful for Simon's fantastic fundraising achievements in honour of his father, Teddy Mac.
Songaminute is an inspiring and touching idea
that is not only raising vital funds for the charity,
but also highlighting the positive impact that listening to music and singing
can have for people with dementia."
