Healthy Living Tips

from the Villa Assisted Living Care Team

Memory Care Community Uses Beloved Music to Renew Lives of Dementia Residents

Villa South’s Stepping Stones Memory Care Community uses Beloved Music to Renew the Lives of Residents with Dementia. Memories forge our identities and make people unique. Yet dementia chips away at memories and often makes it difficult to remember family, friends, and the past life the individual has lived.

Music and Memory is an innovative program designed to use beloved music favorites that will tap into an Alzheimer’s or dementia individual’s deep memories, and help renew their past life connections, thereby improving their quality of life.

This program can reach residents with communication challenges, and make them happier, more social, and more receptive to daily care and family visits. Music favorites can help reduce depression and anxiety. The program can increase socialization and interaction increase residents quality of life and participation in their individual care; and in addition, research has shown that this program will improve the staff interaction in the resident’s level of care.

Music & Memory Leader

Villa South Assisted Livng & Memory Care was selected by the State of Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to participate in the pilot Music & Memory Program back in 2013. One of the key motivations is that personalized music can help reduce the usage of antipsychotic medications and can affect behaviors in a positive way.

Each resident receives an iPod and a playlist of songs specifically created for them. A resident with dementia may remember the song that was playing when he first laid eyes on his future wife even though he may no longer recognize his children. In the short few months of implementation at this nursing home in Houston, there are numerous stories of families being surprised by their loved ones’ experience with music and memory.

Donald was one of the first residents in our Music & Memory program. Working with our Activity Director. Donald’s son and daughter-in-law developed his personal playlist consisting of: old-time country and western songs and the music of Burl Ives, Johnny Cash, and American Standard. Nancy shared that through this process, ” Donald’s daughter-in-law became teary-eyed with joy as she and Donald’s son talked about his life as it related to the music that was chosen for him — his favorites. Donald’s son laughed and was touched by the memories of his dad’s life and the music he liked”. Donald’s son and daughter-in-law were so touched by the experience of choosing the music and excited about the benefits of the program— that they were the first family to donate an iPod for the next group of 15 residents.

Another resident, Isabelle, loves music and has played the organ for her church choir for many years. “When Isabelle experiences anxiety, she is easily redirected when she hears gospel music, which is why she is perfect for the M&M program. I put the headphones on her to see how well she could hear and accept the headset. I asked her if she would like to hear some music and asked if I may put the headset on her. Isabelle smiled so big and bright: ‘YES- I want to hear the Music!!’ she said,” according to Ms. Lyles. “Isabelle’s reaction was priceless. I was so touched— we both laughed, and I cried.”

Our Stepping Stones alzheimer’s and dementia community in Corpus Christi staff and families are excited about helping choose the music their loved ones like and want to help load the iPods so they will be a part of the whole experience for their loved ones. Families and staff are inspired and excited for these residents to begin their journey in Music and Memory.

The goal of Music & Memory is to get people who are living with cognitive and physical challenges to find renewed joy in life through musical favorites.

Villa South’s secure Memory Care community is distinguished by: (1) its memory care programming; (2) its caring staff; and (3) its small, intimate environment. For more information, please contact Activity Director Robin Cohea at RobinC@VillaAssistedLiving.com or Admissions Coordinator Kat Akin at 361-446-1829. Villa South is located at 4834 Yorktown Blvd 78413 in the Country Club Area, next door to St. John the Baptist Church.