Nine out of 10 pensioners say singing along to a favourite song makes them feel happier and 63 per cent say it helps them forget their troubles, a study found.
Memory may be failing for many of the UK’s over-75s, but 71 per cent still know the words to their favourite song and 53 per cent say listening to music helps them to remember things.
About 4.3 million attest to the power of music, according to a study by Royal Voluntary Service for its Sing Your Heart Out campaign.
TV presenter Phillip Schofield said: "My song is Make Me Smile by Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel. That’s my childhood in a song."
Keeping Up Appearances star Patricia Routledge chose Love’s Old Sweet Song by James Molloy sung by Sir Thomas Allen.
She said: "This brings back memories of childhood for me and of listening to the grown-ups singing songs around the piano, especially at Christmas."
Studies have shown that music and singing boost the part of the brain that helps dementia sufferers access memories and emotions.
Fiona Longhurst, the charity’s director, said: "Music and singing can have such a great impact on the life of an older person.
"We’re asking choirs to sing their hearts out and donate a performance to RVS to enable us to help more older people in need of support."
To find out more go to singyourheartout.org.uk
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