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Consulting caregivers and residents in the memory care community has corroborated that establishing a structured, multi-dimensional music program would enhance the well-being of the population and support for the staff working with them. As my service-learning project, the program will provide residents with creative, social, emotional, cognitive, and therapeutic benefits of music on a consistent basis, accomplishing these goals through several components. The components include live afternoon entertainment, specifically targeting sundowning associated with dementia and creating moments for socialization, and further incorporating movement and performance opportunities, including providing staff tools for dance opportunities with residents (potentially partnering with campus rehab if needed). Another important component will be developing purposeful listening opportunities using devices with headsets that can remedy agitation and restlessness, for example, a spontaneous one-on-one moment staff can facilitate (even integrated as part of a resident’s individual plan developed at admission). The program my service-learning project will begin will set the stage for other group and individual opportunities, such as moments for the residents to engage with music for cognitive support and tactile stimulation. It will lay the groundwork for ways to merge performance with fitness by having certified instructors come in. All of this might eventually result in some physical renovations in the actual community floor layout. While this last part will likely not be completed by the end of the semester, necessary groundwork will be laid for such a physical space.
The program is specifically interesting to me because of my career goals of learning advanced logistics, methodologies, and advocacy options for reaching vulnerable older adults and eventually other marginalized groups with brain differences. Music is a powerful way to do that. As a pianist myself, who has gone all over the Memphis community and surrounding areas leading sing-alongs at the piano at retirement communities, community centers, and now at my current memory care community, I have seen the impact of music firsthand on fragile older adults. It is incredible to observe people who cannot remember what day or year it is, or other memories, be able to remember words to favorite songs. Piano has been a voice-box for me in my life, and music is a huge coping mechanism for dealing with my anxiety. Our course has introduced us to special education and how legislature like IDEA, ADA, Section 504, and other laws have worked to improve the lives of those with disabilities through fostering inclusive education. The readings on Universal Design for Learning spoke to creating equal access for all in the learning environment. There is so much overlap with all of this and my memory care community and greater geriatrics work at large; I am proud to be at the frontline fighting ageism ideas that belittle the worth of older adults, and I recognize, even with cognitive decline, they are still valuable members of society who just need to be met where they are with their changed brain. I plan to research these above similarities more.
I have worked in geriatric settings for almost eight years. Now, as the Program Manager, I am responsible for all the social programming, specially designing it to be engaging, regardless of the stage of dementia. Working the brain and providing these moments for belonging and engagement is the point of everything we are aiming to do in my memory care community.
My gradual plan for the community is to connect with the Memphis Music industry, including Stax Music Academy, University of Memphis Music Department, and others, ideally a music therapist. Volunteers and paid musicians will be valuable in the program as entertainers and music workers, and many will be good contacts for the development of it. There are two specific people I plan to approach for this-- a Mr. Tom Davis, who has experience implementing a music and memory program at a facility, and a Mrs. Deborah Farris, who was a regional director for a music and memory program.
Officially kicking off this specialized music program for my memory care community will be a great service to the residents there and the greater Memphis community at large. I hope to have opportunities for music therapy students from the University of Memphis, with their new BA of Music Therapy in the works, that will help those students with hours but will also give residents a chance to benefit from interacting with them.
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