A unique choir in Perth is unlocking precious memories and joy for elderly Italian migrants living with dementia, using the familiar songs of their homeland to bridge the gap created by the condition.
The Second Youth: Music as a Bridge to the Past
The choir, named La Seconda Gioventù (The Second Youth), is composed of Italian residents from the InCasa aged care home. Recently, the group of about 50 brought festive cheer to Point Walter, singing classic Italian songs from their childhood in the lead-up to Christmas.
For some members, dementia has taken away the ability to speak. Yet, when the music starts, the melodies of songs like 'Mamma' and 'O Sole Mio' flood them with memories of their far-away home, often moving them to tears of joy.
More Than Just Singing: A Research Project for Wellbeing
The initiative is not merely for entertainment. It was established by Edith Cowan University researcher Dr. Simone Marino to explore how reconnecting with familiar music, dialects, and life stories can restore a sense of wellbeing for migrants living with dementia.
Dr. Marino, who plays guitar and a goatskin bagpipe and sings with the choir, explained the profound impact. "The literature calls it social death, but we don't need big words to understand that people with dementia feel ignored, and migrants living with dementia have an extra layer," he said.
"We like to highlight the best memories that they have before migration. The magic of what we're doing is some participants are non-verbal, but whenever we sing they light up. It gives them a lot of engagement, and it's just that moment that is important to bring them back to the world."
Personal Stories of Reconnection and Love
The benefits are deeply personal. For Rita Mangano, 85, and her husband Nino, 90, the music rekindles their love after 65 years of marriage. For others, it's a direct link to a homeland they left decades ago.
One participant, who moved to Australia as a teenager 65 years ago, shared what the choir means to him. "We were all born in Italy, and we still have the homeland in our heart," he said. "With these songs, you remember your grandmother and grandfather."
The project underscores a powerful truth: even when words fail, the cultural and emotional resonance of music can open a vital window to identity, connection, and joy for some of our most vulnerable community members.
