Christi Clark, ALA, CMISEducation and Outreach

Coordinator

MUSIC & MEMORY℠ is a non-profit organization that brings personalized music into the

lives of people suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, or other

forms of dementia through digital music technology.

What is Music and Memory?

A program designed to improve quality of life by

giving the person access to music they love.

Henry clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyZQf0p73QM

People living with:– Dementia– Depression

– Loss of mobility/physical function– Chronic progressive illness

– Loneliness

– CAREGIVERS

Who Benefits…

• As we all know from hearing a song associated with a first love, our high school prom or our favorite hymn, can bring back memories as music is profoundly linked to personal memories.

• In fact, our brains are hard-wired to connect music with long-term memory.

Why it works…

• Even for persons with severe dementia, music can tap deep emotional recall. For individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s memory for things-names, places, facts-is compromised, but memories from our teenage years can be well-preserved.

Brain-Music Connection

• Favorite music or songs associated with important personal events can trigger memory of lyrics and the experience connected to the music.

• Beloved music often calms chaotic brain activity and enables the listener to focus on the present moment and regain a connection to others.

Brain-Music Connection

• Musical memory is profoundly linked to emotions. 

• These memories are stored deep in the brain. While Alzheimer’s damages the ability to recall facts and details, it does not destroy these lasting connections between a favorite song and memory of an important life event, no matter how long ago.

The Musical Key to Unlocking Memory…

• When individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia hear a melody connected with a meaningful memory, they can re-awaken. Many people who have not spoken in years find words and sing lyrics. They often regain the ability to

converse and connect to those around them.

• The key is a personalized playlist.

• First, information is gathered about what music is (was) meaningful to the person.

How does it work…

• Next, the music files (songs) are collected on a computer.

• Finally, the personalized playlist is loaded onto an iPod and given to the person to be enjoyed.

iPod Shuffle…

• A way to give pleasure to persons with advanced dementia

• Increases cooperation and attention, reduces resistance to care—a real boost for staff morale

• Reduces agitation and sundowning

• Enhances engagement and socialization, fostering a calmer social environment

• Provides a valuable tool for the effort to reduce reliance on anti-psychotic medications

Therapeutic Benefits…

• Residents are happier and more social.

• Relationships among staff, residents and family deepen.

• Everyone benefits from a calmer, more supportive social environment.

• Staff regain valuable time previously lost to behavior management issues.

• There is growing evidence that a personalized music program gives professionals one more tool in their effort to reduce reliance on anti-psychotic medications.

Facility Outcomes…

GMU iPod Pilot Study

• Staff identified the late afternoon as a high-stress transition time as participants begin to be picked up by family or other transportation.

• Our study is designed to examine the effects of personalized music during this high-stress transition time (3:00-5:00 pm).

• Control group participants and intervention group participants not listening to their iPods are involved in the scheduled center activities. (31 study participants)

iPod Pilot Study

• Common Themes (Intervention Group)– Engaging–Worrying– Confusing–Wandering– Socializing– Vocalizing/Talking

Preliminary Findings

• A 76-year old male in the mid-stage program becomes very engaged when he listens to his iPod. Sometimes he talks about his past work experiences, where he lived and went to school, hums to the music, or pretends to play the guitar. He is much more verbal when he has his iPod on than when he is in the large group. His music also seems to stimulate him and help him recall memories. He listens to his iPod an average for about 48 minutes.

Engaging

• An 81-year-old woman in the Late-Stage program listens to her iPod for an average of 33 minutes. She is non-verbal, but when she listens to the music, she sometimes answers staff’s questions clearly and loudly. She moves her body forward and back as she listens to the music, and at times moves her hand up and down in rhythm. Her husband told one of the researchers that she used to sing all the time, but doesn’t anymore. However, it is clear that the music triggers some positive reactions.

Engaging

• A 91-year-old male in the mid-stage program has had mixed reactions to his personalized iPod. At times, he appears to enjoy the music and becomes more alert and engaged; other times he seemed to be asleep or is quite stoic while listening to the iPod. He often refuses when asked if he wants to listen to his music, but he does not resist and then seems to enjoy the music if he agrees. He often wanders around the facility, both with and without the headphones on. When he would agree, he listens for an average of 28 minutes.

Wandering

• A 75-year-old male in the mid-stage program enjoys listening to his iPod. He verbalizes with rapid speech, and taps his feet and claps his hands to the rhythm. Although it is difficult to understand what he is saying, he “chats” quite a bit while he is listening to his iPod. He listens to his music for an average of about 39 minutes.

Vocalizing/Talking

• Establishing an iTunes library

• Sharing songs legally

• Setting up personalized playlists

• Acquiring and managing equipment, including security and hygiene

• Gaining staff buy-in

• Engaging families

• Building community advocacy and support

How to create a successful program…

Insight Memory Care Center

Annandale Adult Day Health Center-AnnandaleGoodwin House- Falls Church, Falls Church

Heritage Hall, LeesburgHerndon Harbor Adult Day Health Center, Herndon

Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls ChurchKendal at Lexington

Lewinsville Adult Day Health Center-McLeanLexington Court Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Richmond

Lincolnia Adult Day Health Center, AlexandriaMount Vernon Center Adult Day Health Care, Alexandria

Pacifica Senior Living, Virginia BeachSunnyside Retirement Community, HarrisonburgThe Gardens At Warwick Forest, Newport News

Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, Charlottesville

Certified Care Facilities in Virginia…

www.musicandmemory.org