Elderly fans of Jackson and Cole 'find wartime music too depressing' (From Enfield Independent)

Elderly at Reardon Court residential home in Enfield 'find wartime music 'depressing'

11:46am Friday 19th February 2010 in News By Hannah Crown

A DAY care centre for the elderly has ditched wartime music in favour of Cheryl Cole and Michael Jackson because of popular demand, according to staff.

Residential home Reardon Court used to play traditional wartime swing music to liven up an afternoon, but according to day centre manager Phyllis Egan, visitors found this too depressing.

So after taking over her post in November, Ms Egan had the idea to turn off crooners such as Dean Martin and turn up Radio 2.

She said: “Even though a lot of the people who attend are 80 and 90 you have to remember they were much younger in the 60s and they seem to be uplifted by it. There is a man with one leg who was trying to stand up and dance to YMCA. And when we put the radio on, a man in his 80s was singing along to a Cheryl Cole number and knew most of the words.”

Next week, to celebrate National Sing a Song Day and Dignity Action Day on Wednesday and Thursday, the home will treat its day centre members to a day of pampering with live pop music as a backdrop.

Enfield-based pop singer Bethany Gore, who performed recently as the lead in Beauty and Beast at the Intimate Theatre, Palmers Green, is giving her time for free to perform popular numbers by the likes of Michael Jackson and Cheryl Cole on themes of dignity, respect and memories.

Members of the day centre, in Cosgrove Close, Winchmore Hill, will take part in a gentle exercise class and staff will ask them to note down their memories which will be then read out at the end of the day.

Staff will also give hand massages and manicures throughout the day.