PROJECTS

MUSIC & MEMORY


Improving the Quality of Life for Our Elders and Infirm through Personalized Music



SUMMARY
Too often the elderly and infirm become disconnected from the music they once listened to and enjoyed. Physically they may lose the dexterity to operate a radio or CD player or mentally they can no longer ask for the music they might enjoy.


Currently, nursing homes face an extraordinary challenge in their efforts to address the social, psychological and emotional needs of their residents. No matter how resident-centered and forward-thinking they are, the need remains great.

More than 16,000 long-term care facilities house about 1.6 million elderly and infirm. Another 7 million receive home care. Even with active facility programming, the typical resident is idle approximately 90% of the time.


RESEARCH
Abundant research has been conducted to better understand the impact personalized music has on improving one’s physical, psychological and social condition. Personalized music has the potential to help those with:



  • Alzheimer’s -- resulting in much less anxiety and agitation; improved reality orientation and social interaction

  • Parkinson’s -- restoring one’s tempo permitting better movement and gait

  • Hospice patients -- report an improved quality of life with access to music they enjoy

  • Pain -- alleviates pain up to 21%, arthritic and post-surgical

  • Sleep difficulties -- improves one’s quantity and quality of sleep up to 26%

  • Rehabilitation -- this is often difficult work and music helps motivate often resulting in a more successful outcome

  • Mechanically-ventilated patients -- reduces potentially harmful physiological responses arising from anxiety.

  • Cardiovascular surgery -- lessens anxiety for those about to undergo surgery and reduces intubation time.


As a proof of concept, two years ago a small number of nursing home residents were supplied with iPod Shuffles. They tell us that having anytime access to “their” music has made an enormous difference in their lives.

We have recently funded a rollout of three demonstration projects in the New York City area to expand on the concept, especially work out logistics when ipods are used facility-wide.


LONG-TERM GOAL
Improve the quality of life for senior and frail populations by giving them access to the benefits possible from the kinds of music that we know intuitively, and research has proven, can improve their quality of life.