PORTSMOUTH — Music has a way of illuminating an atmosphere, and changing moods for common good. As a part of a statewide initiative, Hill View launched the ‘Music and Memory’ Program for their Nursing Home residents.
Music and Memory is a program where residents listen to personalized music play lists, created with input from residents themselves as well as family, friends and Hill View staff.
Tim Huff, assistant administrator at Hill View, said music has a way of altering one’s mood.
“We are very excited about launching the Memory and Music Program here at Hill View today,” Huff said.”With music, if you turn it on it can change your complete mood for the entire day, especially if you hear a song that you love, there is no doubting that it can take you back to nostalgia, and be a complete mood changer for you.”
The State’s objective is to utilize music in lieu of medication for nursing home residents, according to Huff.
“This is actually a statewide initiative to bring this into nursing homes to give it to nursing home residents to help do the same thing with them,” he said. “If they are in their 90’s they may like music from the 50’s, where it brought them back to a time of dancing and happy times, maybe some Frank Sinatra. The state initiative is to knock down how much narcotics we are using, and not use medications, and rather a non-pharmaceutical approach with music.”
The response had been tremendous by residents that have been selected to participate in the program.
“We have a handful of residents that we have selected to bring them to life. The residents are responding well, and the families’ response has just been excellent,” he said.
The play lists are loaded onto electronic devices such as iPods to allow residents to connect with the music they love, with the goal of improving their overall health and well-being.
Hill View partnered with Shawnee State University and the Area Agency on Aging to identify specialized play lists and to help bring fond memories to life.
“We are ecstatic to be a part of this program and to see our residents come alive,” he said.
From the Music & Memory website, “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.”
More information can be viewed on Youtube copying the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyZQf0p73QM
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