In the following video, Simon is driving in car with his father, Ted, next to him when the two break into a rambunctious version of “Quando, Quando, Quando”. The duet is bringing smiles to everyone who watches it, but what makes the moment all the more special is knowing that Ted has Alzheimer’s disease.
The 79-year-old was diagnosed with dementia in 2013 and since then his memory has been gradually deteriorating. It’s getting harder for him to recognize his family and friends and he often loses his temper, all of which are conditions of the terrible disease. But one thing that still brings Ted lots of joy is singing.
Ted was a singer and entertainer all his life, so music has always been a big part of his world. He is nicknamed “The Songaminute Man” because of how many songs he knows.
That’s why Simon treasures their time in the car together. Even when his father may not recognize him, music “brings him back”. “Now when we’ve got him singing again he’s ‘back in the room’,” Simon says.
“It’s these moments that we treasure.” Music has been shown to have a profound effect on people with Alzheimer’s.
Simon is filming their impromptu duets to help raise awareness and funding for the Alzheimer’s Society, which has helped his family cope with Ted’s Alzheimer’s. Watch their heartfelt duet below and share it with your friends.
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