Yesterday, the persons living with dementia and their care partners experienced JOY, PEACE and SOCIAL SUPPORT by following the HealthRHYTHMS Group Empowerment Drumming Protocol. I’m so GRATEFUL to facilitate this wonderful group and to allow RHYTHM, STRUCTURE and CREATIVITY to enhance their quality as they are THRIVING and LIVING life in the PRESENT moment.
This Music Wellness program was conducted at St. Timothy Lutheran Church as part of the Early Alzheimer’s Support and Education (EASE) Socialization program. St. Timothy Lutheran Church received a Community Impact Council Grant to provide socialization for individuals and care partners in the Early Alzheimer’s Support Education (EASE) program through the Alzheimer’s Association.
This program is for individuals with Early to Middle Stage Dementia with their Care partners and other Senior in general, with the realization that we all have symptoms of aging. This program focuses on healthy memories from the past to be brought to the forefront to create new and happy memories with the Care partner, which they do not always have with the process of the disease.
The session included an overview of the benefits of group empowerment drumming: increase socialization, decrease in stress, increase in the natural killer cells in our bodies to enhance the quality of life, and decrease sense of isolation. The purpose was to “Swing into SPRING with RHYTHM” and to feel and experience the Benefits and Power of MUSIC as a LIFE ENHANCEMENT TOOL.
The session included an introduction, wellness exercise, icebreaker (shaker pass), rhythmic naming, ABC of drumming, group empowerment drumming, entrainment, wellness exercise and closing comments.
The beat and pulse of the drum and the laughter of the session intrigued other church staff members to join and participate! Reflective comments from the group included “JOY, Energized, Relieved, Relaxed, Enlightened, Wonderful and FUN” #luvservingwithmusic
The next Music Wellness program will be conducted on May 21 with the theme: “Sounds, smells, and Songs in honor of Veterans.” To find out more about this program, please contact me via facebook or email me: info@music4wellness.net Music For Wellness Music Therapy in Long Term Care HealthRHYTHMS Facilitators 2015 DCFG Conference Virginia Music Therapy Association Music Therapy Business Owners Network
