The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Senior centers making music work
A new music and memory program to benefit those affected by Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, and their caregivers, is being introduced in 2018.
Connections Through Music, made possible with a grant from the Ohio Department of Aging and the Lake County Senior Levy, is a free, group music therapy-based program. Caregivers with a loved one living at home, not in facility, in Lake County are eligible to participate.
According to the program, music can alleviate depression and anxiety, improve sleep patterns and quality of daily life, increase bonding between caregiver and loved one, and increase more frequent oral exchanges.
Two introductory sessions for caregivers only are scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m., Jan. 17 at the Willoughby Public Library, at 30 Public Square, and 10 to 11 a.m., Jan. 23, at the Mentor Senior Center, 8484 Munson Road. There is no obligation to join. “After a series of pilot programs, improvements were made to what’s now known as Connections Through Music,” said Cristen Kane, director of Willoughby-based RSVP — Retired Senior Volunteer Program — of Lake County, an organization matching skills, talents and experience of adults age 55 and over with community needed volunteer opportunities.
“We switched from Kirtland to now include the Perry Senior Center,” Kane added. “This is a huge change. We also decided to host the one-hour introductory sessions. We want to present these sessions so participants can learn about the goals of the program, which research the effect music has (on people) and how it can increase socialization and community engagement. We hope it sparks an interest.”
Caregivers and their loved ones will participate in six group music sessions led by retired senior volunteers. Through the sessions, caregivers will learn how to use music as a tool to increase communication and receive information each session on how to engage in meaningful activities at home.
After completing the sessions, a free iPod loaded with a personalized playlist will be handed out. The devices can be updated, also, by being dropped off at any of the three centers.
Alyea Barajas, senior services coordinator with the Lake County commissioners, said the office is always looking for new and innovative ways to address needs in the senior community.
“Connections Through Music is a perfect example of a collaboration that not only helps address some of the needs of persons struggling with dementia, but also their caregivers,” she said. “This has been a great effort by all those involved so far and we’re hoping with some renewed interest we can continue to develop and grow the program.”
Also, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Mentor chapter will be training RSVP volunteers to work with the caregivers. In the first three sessions, caregivers will observe volunteers. The last three sessions will have caregivers and volunteers working together.
Program locations include:
• Mentor Senior Center, 8484 Munson Road, from Feb. 20 through March 27, 10 to 11 a.m.
• Perry Senior Center, 2800 Perry Park Road, from March 7 through April 11, 1 to 2 p.m.
• Willowick Senior Center, 321 E. 314th St., from Feb. 1 through March 8, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
“We want to make sure the caregiver follows up at home with the program,” Kane said. “The iPod can contain any type of music. We want to demonstrate the interaction and engage in feedback. This emphasis is to the caregiver.
“We want to reach that pocket of caregivers who are constantly busy working,” she added. “Music is so simple. It really does bring people to life. It really can provide comfort at home. It can change moods, attitudes, life.”
For more information, visit rsvplc.org/ or call 440-269-3015.