It’s no secret that music has an undeniable connection to personal memories.
Just one song has the power to call back vivid recollections of everything from that first kiss under the stars to that one late-summer road trip spent racking up miles down Interstate 75.
In an effort to enable those suffering from cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia to reconnect with the world through memories triggered by their favorite songs, several local nursing homes are implementing the “Music & Memory” program.
Founded in 2010 by Dan Cohen, “Music & Memory” is a non-profit organization that provides personalized music to the elderly through digital music platforms in order to improve the overall quality of life.
The organization teaches nursing home staff, as well as family caregivers, how to create personalized playlists for residents on digital music devices like Apple iPods.
“Music means so much to everyone’s lives,” said Katie Gulgin, administrator with Otterbein Senior Lifestyle Choices. “One song to me may not mean the same thing to another person. It’s about finding those songs that mean something special to someone.”
According to the “Music & Memory” website, songs associated with important personal events can trigger memory of the physical experience connected to the music. As a result, the music can often calm “chaotic brain activity” and enable the listener to “focus on the present moment and regain a connection to others.”
Each of Otterbein’s locations throughout Ohio – including its Perrysburg and Monclova communities – completed “Music & Memory” certification training as of March 5.
The Perrysburg site, located at 3529 Rivers Edge Drive, has already begun testing the effects of “Music & Memory” on one of its residents.
Gulgin said the resident – a woman who suffers from “severe dementia” – has communication limitations but has become more vocal and responsive since beginning the therapy.
“It’s something her son puts on for her,” she said. “When she’s feeling agitated, it calms her down; or, if she’s having trouble eating, it helps her eat better.”
Gulgin said Otterbein is still trying to work out how each of the individual facilities is going to implement “Music & Memory” into its activity regimen.
The smaller facilities may be able to provide enough iPods for each resident, while the larger, more traditional facilities might only allow access to the devices when an activity professional is on site.
“We should have a good portion of our facilities using the program by mid year,” Gulgin said.
Administrators with Foundation Park Alzheimer’s Care Center completed their “Music & Memory” training March 19 and are preparing to train the rest of the staff in the coming weeks.
Kathy Kuhlman, social service director with Foundation Park, said the facility currently only has 10 iPods, but is seeking donations to help obtain a music player for each of the 125 residents housed in the extended-care facility.
“We want to expand access to activities for residents who are normally unable to take part in (traditional) activities while, at the same time, decreasing negative behaviors and mood outbreaks,” Kuhlman said.
Kuhlman said Foundation Park has already decided which residents will receive the first 10 iPods and staff is in the process of contacting residents’ loved ones to obtain information about their favorite music.
“When residents hear the music they listened to at a younger age, it brightens their days,” she said.
On Dec. 15, 2014 the state Controlling Board approved a request by the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) for the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to use protection funds to contract with Music & Memory, Inc. to allow Ohio nursing homes to become “Music & Memory” certified.
According to a news release from the ODA, the funding will be used to underwrite costs associated with training and certification, equip the state’s regional long-term care ombudsman programs to support the expansion, and provide start-up kits and supplies for participating facilities.
No funds are paid directly to the nursing homes.
To learn more about “Music & Memory” in Ohio, visit www.aging.ohio.gov/services/music-memory/.
