“Walking in the shoes” of a person living with brain change through my recent “Virtual Dementia Tour” at Commonwealth Senior Living Williamsburg will always be remember and cherished as we continue to engage and connect with individuals with dementia through music.
it was an honor to be interview by Heather Bridges, Virginia Gazette reporter, of my experience.
Taking this tour was a very emotional and profound experience for me and will impact the way I connect, interact and provide music therapy services for individuals with dementia.
The senses that affected me the most was the noise blasting from the headphones… these jolting noises, everyday sounds, and voices were unpredictable and disturbing. I felt comforted when another person joined me for tour, wanted to feel/touch furniture, walks, and cloth items, and hummed to myself to drown out the noise.
As I reflect, my “Ah-Ah” moment was understanding the power of music to stimulate the senses of individuals with brain change … music provides social group connection, active music making with instruments provides tactical stimulation with physical exercise, and singing helps focus inward on breathing and may diminish the sounds heard internally or outwardly.
To read more about my experience, click here:
https://music4wellness.net/new-year-new-ah-ah-moment-virtua…/
