“We incorporate music in our activities for the purpose of increasing resident social interaction, calming restlessness and evoking connection with others,” said Brenda.
Developed for individuals with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, the Vista Cove Life Enrichment Activity Program (LEAP™) includes various activities that involve music. According to Vista Cove Director of Activities Brenda Jenkins, “Research shows that music therapy helps to stimulate the brain, reduce agitation, and decrease anxiety by engaging individuals with cognitive impairment through listening, singing and movement. The music-based activities at Vista Cove are designed with a number of factors in mind, including the physical health, communication abilities, cognitive skills, emotional well-being of each resident.” In other words, music is powerful. Music enhances and strengthens the brain, making an individual more effective and efficient in tasks relating to cognition, use of motor skills and/or speaking. Music is highly engaging and motivating for several reasons:
Music evokes emotions that bring memories.
Musical aptitude and appreciation are two of the last remaining abilities in dementia patients.
Music can bring emotional and physical closeness.
Singing is engaging.
Music can shift mood, manage stress and stimulate positive interactions.
It’s no wonder, then, that the Vista Cove music-based programs—sing-a-long; puzzles, music & memory; I hear music; dancin’ feet & move it; music-n-memory; and karaoke on Thursdays—are so effective in helping to reduce challenging behaviors and decrease feelings of anxiety and depression.
Music also plays an important role in Vista Cove’s Namaste Program. This program uses an approach in which the focus is on providing one-to-one care for residents in a group setting. Vista Cove caregivers work with residents, who have severe cognitive impairment and are unable to participate in daily interactions, to engage them in therapeutic activities such as hand and foot massage, soothing music and aromatherapy.
“We incorporate music in our activities for the purpose of increasing resident social interaction, calming restlessness and evoking connection with others,” said Brenda.