Put your headphones on or throw in a CD, pick your fave tune, then exercise your passion. Whatever that is, let the music move you.
“It’s a beautiful thing to see the music spark a flame in someone who is more isolated than most,” said Corina Strim, resident music therapist, Golden Eagle View long-term care unit at Canmore General Hospital.
“While our goals are non-musical – for example, cognitive stimulation and social awareness – muisc is the driver to reach those goals,” she added.
Marilyn Croll’s husband, Gawn, is a long-term care resident at Golden Eagle View and has been involved with music all his life. So when the program was introduced, Marilyn was thrilled that he had the opportunity to continue enjoying his life-long passion in music.
“My husband is very sleepy a lot of the time, but when he heard (Richard) Rodgers’ and (Oscar) Hammerstein’s ‘O What A Beautiful Morning’, he woke up and started singing,” said Croll.
According to one of many studies, music therapy has led to increased cognitive abilities in Alzheimer patients. Music therapy runs every Thursday morning at Golden Eagle View, with residents sitting in a circle and participating in their own ways.
Whether listening to, or improvising music, or feeling instruments in their laps, the music engages patients. Some have even been known to dance.
“It was so sweet,” said Strim. “Two residents grabbed each other’s hand and started moving to the beat. That’s a wonderful thing – especially when eye contact is the only success we see in some.”
The program provides a sense of community and belonging. After all, music is the universal language. While the program is structured in some ways to meet goals, it’s pretty much up to the residents to write the day’s song sheet. If a particular chord is struck, such as making up a song, they go with it.
The program has a varied playlist, including sensory motivation that includes touch – an important part of the symphony. Simply putting an instrument, such as a small guitar or “reverie harp” across a lap is engaging. It’s human nature to want to touch it.
A former music teacher, Croll is as passionate about music as her husband. “Corina’s program is wonderful,” she said. “When the music starts, you can see the inspiration.”
The Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation is a big advocate and supporter of the program.
“This program is an excellent fit for us in terms of supporting the social fabric of our community,” said Carla Helder, a director on the Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation Board. “We are committed to providing funds for music therapy for the next three years.”
