Question 1

What is SingFit STUDIO Caregiver?

Accepted Answer

SingFit STUDIO Caregiver is a therapeutic music program that enables caregivers, even those with no previous musical experience, to use song to engage loved ones who have dementia in a fun, failure free activity, to produce positive health benefits.

Question 2

Why use SingFit STUDIO Caregiver?

Accepted Answer

SingFit STUDIO Caregiver enables you to bring joy, laughter, and a sense of self back into your loved one's life.
Unlike playing scrabble, reading, or participating in conversation,  SingFit STUDIO Caregiver is a failure free activity that allows older adults to actively engage and feel successful, regardless of cognitive deficits.
SingFit STUDIO Caregiver turns music into medicine. Based on neuroscience and the latest music therapy research, SingFit STUDIO Caregiver was designed to provide an active cognitive exercise and promote neuroplasticity for speech and communication skills.
SingFit STUDIO Caregiver can impact quality of life by improving mood and behavior without the negative side effects of medication.

Question 3

What does SingFit STUDIO Caregiver include?

Accepted Answer

SingFit STUDIO Caregiver includes:
SingFit STUDIO music app and library (700+ songs from You are My Sunshine to I Want to Hold Your Hand to Luck Be a Lady) 
In-App instructional video on using music as a caregiver
Easy-to-use algorithms, conversation prompts,  and strategies designed by music therapists
Amazing clinical & technical support

Question 4

What equipment do I need in order to use SingFit STUDIO Caregiver?

Accepted Answer

SingFit STUDIO app can be downloaded onto any iOS or android device, including your personal phone.  Please make sure that you have a recent operating system (Apple: 12.0; Android 11.0 ). We recommend a minimum of 12 GB of space available to download songs.  
We recommend using external speakers that have good clear sound, are not muffled or distorted, and can be heard from 20 feet away. If you want to purchase new speakers, we have found that the Tribit XSound Go Bluetooth Speaker, the OontZ Angle 3 Ultra Waterproof, and JBL Flip work well(~$37 - $100).

Question 5

Who was SingFit STUDIO Caregiver designed for?

Accepted Answer

Caregivers of people 55+ who have cognitive decline and dementia (mild to advanced). 
Caregivers who: 
Are looking to promote healthy cognition and communication in those they care for
Lack engaging, healthy activities for older adults with cognitive decline
Need easy to use tools to manage psychological and behavioral symptoms of dementia 
Are looking for alternatives to tv, scrabble, reading, etc.
Older adults that are demonstrating challenges with engagement, attention, trust, anxiety/agitation, low self-esteem, mood/depression, low energy/apathy, ADLs, connection, will benefit from SingFit STUDIO Caregiver..
SingFit can also be used with people with a variety of health care conditions, whether they have aphasia or other speech and language challenges, Parkinson’s Disease, respiratory challenges, anxiety, depression, or are recovering from a stroke. 
If you're a rehab therapist, check out our Pro Version here.

Question 6

How does SingFit STUDIO Caregiver work?

Accepted Answer

The SingFit STUDIO Caregiver program includes a music app and a therapeutic protocol, which enables you to find your loved one’s favorite songs, build a personalized playlist, as well as engage them in singing and reminiscing on a regular basis.

SingFit STUDIO Caregiver appeals to persons with cognitive decline by using appropriate and familiar music that is carefully selected and tested by music therapists. The SingFit STUDIO app creates custom playlists based on your participant’s health condition, age, and musical tastes. This allows caregivers to find engaging music to improve mood or reduce agitation with the touch of a button. Additionally, dozens of Age-Based and Genre playlists enable a caregiver to quickly and easily engage any participant, without prior knowledge of their musical preferences. These playlists are filled with major hits from your participant’s teens and twenties. Songs from these years are often encoded into the neural networks of the brain that remain intact, even for those with cognitive decline. Click here for more about the science of singing.

The SingFit STUDIO App contains a proprietary lyric-coach prompter, which speaks the lyrics before they need to be sung.  The lyric-coach prompter enables those with dementia or poor vision to actively engage in music making without having to read or remember the lyrics.

SingFit STUDIO deepens your connection with your loved one as they share memories from their favorite songs, or as you bond through a shared activity where conversation isn’t required.
 
Check out this video for an example clip from a real life session.

Question 7

When and where is SingFit STUDIO Caregiver used?

Accepted Answer

SingFit STUDIO Caregiver can be used at any point throughout your day, for any length of time. Users have reported using it in many ways, whether for a couple of minutes between doctors appointments or for over an hour as a structured activity to promote reminiscence and healthy cognition.
SingFit STUDIO Caregiver is most successful when used in a quiet room with a table and supportive chairs. However, SingFit STUDIO Caregiver is mobile and can be used anywhere, whether you’re in a house, at a senior living community, in a hospital, on a walk, or in a car.

Question 8

How do I use SingFit STUDIO Caregiver?

Accepted Answer

After registering for SingFit on our website, you will receive an email with the link to the SingFit app and your sign-in information
Watch the short in-app instructional video to familiarize yourself with the program and learn how to utilize therapeutic music with your loved one!
Prepare for the session by setting up your smart device and speakers in a comfortable setting for you and your loved one.
Choose your goal for the session and start singing to improve well-being! 
Take time to share memories and thoughts with each other that the music may inspire.

Question 9

How does SingFit STUDIO Caregiver compare to other music interventions?

Accepted Answer

Designed by music therapists, SingFit STUDIO’s Age-Based algorithms take the guesswork out of choosing the right music to engage your participant.
SingFit’s lyric coach makes it easy for all participants, regardless of memory or reading deficits, to sing along.  More info about the advantages of active music making (singing) over passive music listening, below.*
The lyric coach and app's large font size supports accessibility.
SingFit STUDIO Caregiver provides an easy-to-use app and techniques that enable anyone to successfully use and benefit from therapeutic music
Excellent clinical and tech support to get the most out of using SingFit STUDIO with your loved one while priced competitively to other music apps and therapy interventions.
Advantages of Singing Over Listening to Music
*While a few music-listening programs are on the market today, no other scalable active music-making program exists on the market. Active music making has distinct advantages over passive programs.  For example, active music making, including singing, has a similar impact on physiology as meditation or yoga; active participation will elicit cognitive stimulation, neurochemical release, cortisol regulation and respiratory benefits. Additionally, active music-making triggers the release of oxytocin, which counteracts feelings of isolation and improves immune system health. In contrast, music-listening programs can also be isolative for older adults and difficult to employ for caregivers, who do not have the knowledge or time to build appropriate and effective playlists.

Question 10

What are some of the benefits of SingFit STUDIO Caregiver?

Accepted Answer

SingFit STUDIO Caregiver is an easy-to-use tool that can be integrated at any point in your busy schedule. It creates opportunities for success for your loved one that can help them feel empowered. 
Caregivers who use SingFit STUDIO report that they like the program and that it made their time with their loved one more enjoyable. 	
SingFit STUDIO Caregiver supports  improvements in mood, which may extend throughout the day and the rest of the week. SingFit STUDIO Caregiver has also been reported to: 
Inspire storytelling, increase conversation and deepen connection
Improve cognition and confidence
Improve engagement with daily activities (e.g., using the restroom, brushing their teeth, taking a shower, etc.)
Increase participant compliance and support functional outcomes

Question 11

What data supports SingFit STUDIO Caregiver’s positive impact on older adults with dementia and their caregivers?

Accepted Answer

Results of Recent Pilot SingFit STUDIO Caregiver Study 
Average Pre to Post Session Mood Increase: 36%
Average Pre to Peak Session Mood Increase: 50%
Average Engagement Level (Out of 5): 4
Average SingFit Session Length: 34 minutes
Average % of Sessions where participant smiled: 84%

Question 12

What are caregivers saying about SingFit STUDIO Caregiver?

Accepted Answer

"You’ve given me tools that have impacted my understanding of how I can interact with my husband for the rest of my life.” - Jeanne, Caregiver of her husband with dementia
 
"I’m so happy I learned of the SingFit program. It’s been life changing." - Laina, caregiver of her mom with mild dementia
 
"I think [my husband’s] mood is more stable...In fact, he will say 'I think I'm coming back.' He's feeling more like himself. And I think this is really good." - Jan P, Caregiver for her husband with MCI
 
“Even if I hire a paid caregiver and have her run SingFit sessions with my mom, I will continue doing sessions as well. I enjoy doing them, I really like the songs.” - Jacqui H, Caregiver for her mother with early onset dementia
 
My mom has suffered with severe chronic pain for years. Her main activity is to watch TV. During our 1st SingFit session, she sang 15 songs. She's really enjoying this." -- Gabriella, Family Caregiver of her mother, who has mild cognitive impairment (vascular dementia) and chronic pain
 
“Sometimes I would offer to do SingFit with my husband, just because I knew I needed it.” - Jan P, Caregiver for her husband with MCI
 
"Frances is so positive when it comes to doing SingFit; it is the only activity that I can get her involved….I heard stories from Frances that I hadn't heard before." - Mary Anne, Home Caregiver of Frances for over 5 years

Question 13

How much training is required?

Accepted Answer

No training is required. However, we offer a short in-app instructional video to teach caregivers the basics for how to use the SingFit STUDIO Caregiver program, including how to navigate the SingFit app and how to interact with your loved one using music.

Question 14

What evidence exists of the positive benefits of singing?

Accepted Answer

Research has found that singing is a powerful cognitive exercise that stimulates memory, attention and speech. Singing has also been shown to improve the ability to regulate mood, stress, heart rate and blood pressure as well as reduce agitation.  
There are over 23 evidence-based studies that support the use of singing for 
1) improving cognition, memory, and mood as well as for decreasing anxiety levels in persons with dementia
2) reducing high blood pressure by 10-15%
3) supporting better respiratory control and primary muscular strength for recovery from influenzas or Covid-19
4) decreasing the over-dependence on psychotropic medications to manage anxiety and behavioral and psychological symptom of dementia
5) Increase functional lung capacity and physiological resilience.
 
For more information, you can read our research at https://www.singfit.com/singfitdata or read our blog on how Music can Reduce Agitation.

SingFit STUDIO Caregiver

Frequently Asked Questions