Christmas cheer to be shared at dementia-friendly Christmas carols service

Dementia patients and their caregivers will once again be able to get into the festive cheer with the community at a special dementia-friendly Christmas carol service.

It is being held at the Rotorua Salvation Army Church on Sunday December 10, from 2.30pm.

Rotorua Salvation Army officer Ralph Overbye says they felt it was a successful event last year and are happy to be hosting it again.

"We will be singing carols and enjoying fellowship together.

"Of course we will be reminding people of the real reason we celebrate Christmas - the advent of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Ralph says the dementia-friendly service is just like any other Christmas carol service, except they provide an environment where dementia patients and their caregivers feel welcome.

"I think it is important for these people to feel 'normal' again, being able to take part in a community event with perhaps some special history for them."

He says it is an interdenominational gathering where people from all the various Christian churches and members of the public are welcome to attend.

"Music has a wonderful way of uniting people as well as evoking precious memories of yesteryear.

"Often people who suffer from dementia remember music long after other memories have gone and enjoy and connect with it.

"We hope it will be a special time for them and their caregivers to celebrate together with other people in the community."

Salvation Army band leader Rex Rees says all the songs will be carols, with many of them being traditional ones such as Silent Night and Away in a Manger.

He says the songs were selected by the congregation.

Rex says the band are looking forward to the opportunity to share the wonderful Christmas story with those who attend, and hope that it will bring joy to them, as music is an integral part of life.