Post on 21-Dec-2015
ALLE SALAZAR, CSWCOUNSELOR & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE
Music & Memory: How Many Memories Does an
iPod Hold?
The Music & Memory Program
iPod-based personalized playlists to older adults and individuals suffering from dementia or other chronic illness, such as: Depression Isolation Visual impairment Mental health concerns Palliative care Hospice Cancer Multiple Sclerosis
Why Does It Work With Cognitive Decline?
Music is profoundly linked to personal memories
Our brains are hard-wired to connect music with long-term memory
For individuals with dementia, more recent memory for things (names, places, facts) are compromised, but memories from younger years are well preserved
What are the Benefits?
Numerous outcomes studies find that Music & Memory has significant positive impacts Increased awareness, cognition, and engagement Reduced agitation, anxiety, and problematic behaviors Pain and depression reduction Improved communication Restored sense of identity and increased socialization Increased mobility
The History of Music & Memory
Dan Cohen, a social worker in New York, began thinking about wide availability of technology and how it could be used for elderly
He wondered what it would be like to live without his favorite music
He searched online and found that nursing homes were not using this technology
He volunteered at a local facility to test the idea
The History of Music & Memory
Received funding from the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation to expand program further
Established program as a non-profitAs of August 2014, the program is available
in: 6 countries 44 states 600 facilities or community organizations
Almost exclusively in long-term care settings
See For Yourself…
Henry’s Story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyZQf0p73QM&feat
ure=player_embedded
Alive Inside
After the Henry clip was made, Michael Rosato-Bennett, a filmmaker, followed Dan for the next 3 years
Featured at Sundance 2014Audience Award for Best US DocumentaryRelease in select theaters in June 2014Anticipated upcoming Netflix debut this Fall
How Did JFS Discover Music & Memory?
Henry’s story went viral NPR Story about Henry was shared with staff at JFS
We connected with Dan to find out how we could be involved Program seemed adaptable to our services Dan was responsive and supportive in this process
Why Is This A Good Fit for JFS?
JFS Non-denominational private non-profit 501c3 Funded by grants and individual donations Sliding fee scale for all services
Mission Statement JFS seeks to strengthen individuals, families, and
communities through counseling, care management, and community education We focus on support for caregivers and those striving to
age-in-place Also offer support and referrals when necessary to move
to long-term care
Why is This a Good Fit for JFS?
Our goal to help individuals age in place Offering the program in the community supports
aging in place Supports caregivers and family as a means of respite
and connection Administrative Considerations
Meets mission of organization Arts programming (never before offered at JFS) Expands current, and opens new funding streams for
grants and donations Utilizes a strong volunteer component, which is a
strength of the agency
Utah’s Music & Memory Presence
JFS was certified as a Music & Memory organization in January 2014 3 day webinar, 1.5 hours each day First organization in Utah to be certified Only organization in Utah providing community-based
programming at this timeNow in 40 facilities throughout Utah
A complete list can be found at www.musicandmemory.org
Our Process
Client is Referred to the
Program
In-Home Assessment is
Completed with Client (and CG if applicable)
Client or CG pays $50 one
time fee if able
Client is Matched with
Volunteer
Volunteer Completes Music
Interview with Client (and CG if
applicable)
Volunteer Downloads/Uploa
ds Music for Playlist and Loads
onto Device
Volunteer Introduces iPod to
Client, Demonstrates
Use, Establishes Charging Plan
Volunteer Follows Up After a Week’s Time, and After As
Needed
The Assessment & Referral Process
In-Home Assessment Environment Personality/temperament
Making A Referral Client or family can contact us You can contact us with client information with their
expressed permission
Role of Volunteers
The fun stuff!Responsibilities:
Interview program recipients and caregivers about music preferences
Download and assemble recipient’s personalized iPod playlist using iTunes gift cards
Load playlist onto donated iPod (preferably iPod Shuffle)
Introduce playlist to recipient and make changes as necessary
The Music Interview
Goal: Identify 80-100 song selections 10-15 favorite artists Checklists of frequently identified music and music interview
provided by the programA few of the questions:
What music did you listen to when you were young? Did you sing at religious services? What were your favorite
hymns? Did you go to shows or musicals? Did you go dancing? Do you have any records, tapes, or CDs of your favorite music?
Where can I find them? What songs did you dance to at your wedding? High school
prom?
What Kind of Music Do They Like?
A little bit of everything!Music preferences vary as much as the
people being served
Danish Israeli Christian Hymns Big Band
Country Rock & Roll Soul Opera
Classical Broadway Patriotic
And Much More
Our iTunes Library
After 5 months of providing the program, our iTunes library is vast, and always growing More than 30GB of music
12 days Over 4,600 songs
Challenges & Lessons Learned
iTunes Some volunteers aren’t familiar with iTunes They may or may not want to learn Use specific volunteers for specific parts of the project
Assess skill sets, commitment, and interest
Goal Recommended Qualities & Skills
Establish a well-organized music library •Passion for finding the right music for each person•Enjoys researching music•Understands iTunes•Computer savvy•Detail oriented
Research Favorite Music •Excellent communication skills•Thoughtful listener•Compassion for and interest in elders•Adept at note-taking
Teach Client/Resident How to Use iPod •Understand use of device •Excellent oral communication skills•Empathetic and patient•Enjoys teaching
Challenges & Lessons Learned
Facility Computer Limits volunteer’s freedom
Have to schedule computer time Increased staff time because of full-time working volunteers
May be easier to accommodate in long-term care settingDonations
iPods often come without charging equipment iTunes gift cards are less often donated
They forget to listen, or how to use device Volunteers encouraged to check in on challenges Caregivers and family can assist if available In long-term care settings, this may be easier
Structure Staff to assist
Where We Are…
JFS (as of August 2014) Clients Served: 19 Volunteers Trained: 14
Feedback “She seemed to tolerate the earphones without any problem, and my sister and
I noted that she seemed to pay attention to the music even when her eyes were closed. She would tap her feet, hum as if trying to sing, and smile in apparent recognition of familiar songs… We were able to do 30 minute sessions in three successive days. After each listening session, our mother was more alert, interactive, and her mood was positive for a significant interval. It was wonderful to be able to give my mom a little pleasure in her day.”
“He really seemed to enjoy listening to the music. He was humming and singing along…And I love the thought that he might be comforted and receive some joy from the music - and the memories.”
“My dad listens to his iPod every day. He sings along and smiles widely. He tells stories I’ve never heard about his youth. This has opened up such a meaningful opportunity to connect with my father again. Thank you for providing this program.”
Community Collaborations
Skullcandy Zion’s Bank donation of $100,000 toward equipment Skullcandy’s ethnographic research
Center for Alzheimer’s Care, Imaging, and Research (CACIR)- University of Utah fMRIs of brain activity of those affected with dementia
listening to their custom iPods Awaiting IRB approval
Utah Coalition for Music & Memory A collaborative group of government, non-profit, Music
& Memory representatives, Skullcandy, and other senior care professionals
Traction in Facility Settings
The Utah Health Care Association Grant for Music & Memory in all member facilities 40 facilities thus far certified and trained 100 total planned 15 residents in each facility will be provided with
program to start A complete list can be found at
www.musicandmemory.orgAll of this work, JFS and Utah HCA included,
has happened since January of this year
What Would Be On YOUR Playlist?
Consider music’s power to bring us back to memories in a vivid way What songs do this for you? Why? What would be a must for your playlist?
Questions? Comments?
Alle Salazar, CSWJewish Family Service
1111 E Brickyard Rd, Suite 218Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801.746.4334alle@jfsutah.org
Please feel free to make referrals as
necessary