Singing together can help people living with dementia better connect with family and friends and their own joy-filled memories. Of course, not everyone connects with the same songs or even the same kinds of music, so try different songs until you find what works best for your loved one. Start with music from popular singers, such as Frank Sinatra.

Your loved one, especially if they are 80 years old or older, may have fond memories connected with Sinatra’s music. We’ve put together singalong versions of five songs recorded by Sinatra. We encourage you to play this video for your loved one. If they know these songs, then search out more Sinatra tunes online.

If you find your loved one is a Sinatra fan, they might also like the music of some of Sinatra’s contemporaries, including Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., or other “crooners” such as Perry Como and Andy Williams.

All of our virtual singalongs are carefully crafted for sharing with people who have Alzheimer’s. We select familiarsongs, record them in singable keys, and add easy-to-read lyrics and an on-screen singalong leader.

“Songs Sinatra Sang” features these five songs:

• “Chicago” ~ music and lyrics by Fred Fisher (public domain, backing track licensed from Tency Music)
• “Somebody Loves Me” ~ music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva (public domain, backing track licensed from Tency Music)
• “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby” ~ music by Walter Donaldson, lyrics by Gus Kahn (public domain, backing track licensed from Tency Music)
• “It Had to Be You” ~ music by Isham Jones, lyrics by Gus Kahn (public domain, backing track licensed from Tency Music)
• “Swinging on a Star” ~ Words by Johnny Burke, Music by Jimmy Van Heusen ~ Used with permission from Bourne Co. and Dorsey Brothers Music a Division of Music Sales Corporation ~ www.bournemusic.com ~ www.wisemusic.com ~ ASCAP