Introducing Sing Along With John – and a DVD Giveaway!

19 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Activities for Your Loved One, Behaviors, Caregivers, Giveaways, Helpful Resources, Music and Art, Products, Smiles

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

alzheimers, dementia, music for alzheimers, music therapy

UPDATE: I’ve decided to extend the giveaway a bit longer. Submit an entry now through April 14.

It’s been proven that music provides many benefits to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, from easing anxiety to improving relationships and boosting engagement.

Many care partners report witnessing an awakening of memories triggered by music, while others note cases where music therapy reduced the need for psychotropic drugs. The bottom line is this: Music is almost guaranteed to fuel happiness, therefore improving overall quality of life. My mom absolutely loved music.

Sing Along With John

I recently stumbled upon a collection of DVDs featuring singer/pianist John Moorhouse whose musical career has spanned over four decades. Music has taken Moorhouse around the world, opening for the likes of Sly & the Family Stone, Deep Purple, and Janis Joplin. These days, he finds great joy in entertaining seniors at retirement and assisted living communities in Ontario, Canada.

Our clients always have a great time when John performs. There are smiles from ear to ear, toes tapping and people up out of their chairs dancing! He brings so much joy to our day center and a pleasure to work with. His talent and enthusiasm are unmatched! -Bonnie Robertson Koepke, Activity Coordinator, VON Adult Day Program and Overnight Respite, Hamilton, ON

The DVD collection, aptly titled Sing Along With John, features six titles, and includes something for just about everyone:

Best of the Crooners (Route 66, Blue Moon, Misty, Ain’t She Sweet)
All Time Sing Along Favourites (Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Bill Bailey, Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue)
Rockin’ Country (San Antonio Rose, Release Me, Take These Chains From My Heart)
Songs of the British Isles (When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, Bye Bye Blackbird, I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover)
Old Time Gospel (The Old Rugged Cross, How Great Thou Art, Onward Christian Soldiers)
Christmas Celebration (Jingle Bells, Auld Lang Syne, We Wish You a Merry Christmas)

I previewed Best of the Crooners and thought the format was perfect; the manner in which the video is staged creates a feeling of being right there for a live performance. Each DVD includes a printable songbook and provides the option to display easy-to-read lyrics at the bottom of the screen – perfect for singing along!

Our residents love Sing Along With John DVDs. As soon as the DVD starts to play, everyone starts to sing and they remain engaged for the entire DVD performance. –Lisa Hardisty, Activity Director, Bay Haven, Collingwood, ON

Several facilities report that residents enjoy the Old Time Gospel DVD during on-site church services, while others enthusiastically attest to the happiness and rekindling of memories all of the DVDs spawn.

Music: A Universal Language

The collection, distributed by Roses in Winter Productions, has won fans in assisted living facilities, retirement communities, and Alzheimer’s care centers extending from Canada and the U.S. to England, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia.

As the senior demographic changes, the company plans to produce 1950’s and 1960’s DVDs featuring music for the baby boomer generation. They also intend to produce another gospel DVD in the future.

How Do I Get The DVDs?

The DVDs are available individually as well as in two different sets of three, or the entire collection can be purchased together. While these would certainly be a great addition to the music/video library of any facility, I believe they are equally appropriate for a home setting.

Each DVD contains 10-12 songs (30-40 minutes of music). For more information or to place an order, visit http://singalongwithjohndvds.com.

I’m also very happy to announce that the generous folks at Roses in Winter Productions have sent me five DVDs for YOU! If you’d like to win one, leave a comment on this post and tell me what kind of music you enjoy listening to. I’ll select five random winners on April 1^st. Good luck!!

Music For Your Loved One

18 Saturday Jan 2014

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Behaviors, Caregivers, Giveaways, Mom, Music and Art, Products, Smiles, Tips, Treatments and Therapies

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

alzheimers, caregiving, dementia, music for alzheimers, music therapy

The winner is … Mary!

CD winner

old-radio
We’ve seen plenty of evidence that music can create magical moments for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. It has the power to reduce depression and agitation, improve cognitive function, and provide wonderful opportunities for interaction with caregivers and loved ones. Music was certainly comforting to my mom, even in the very late stages of the disease.

One of the most compelling examples is illustrated in a YouTube video that went viral shortly after its 2012 release. “Henry” had been battling dementia for years, becoming completely withdrawn and non-communicative. And then, the magic happened; caregivers played some of his favorite songs from years gone by, and he suddenly came to life. The man who had previously barely spoken was now singing Cab Calloway’s hits and reminiscing about how much he loved music and dancing when he was young. It was nothing short of a miracle.

The past, which is not recoverable in any other way, is embedded, as if in amber, in the music and people can regain a sense of identity… -Oliver Sacks, MD

Knowing firsthand how powerful music can be, Audrey Greene decided to combine her musical gift with years of eldercare experience to create a CD; however, she needed funding to make it happen. With that in mind, she began a Kickstarter campaign and with the help of 105 backers, raised over $4,700 to offset licensing and production costs.

During the crowd funding process, Audrey said, “At 57, I’m learning once again that almost anything is possible.” Indeed, this past November she realized her dream when “Mom’s Musical Memories” was released.

The CD contains 15 tracks, all carefully chosen for their potential to unlock memories, encourage reminiscing, and create musical moments of joy. Songs include old favorites like You Are My Sunshine, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, When the Saints Go Marching In, and Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

…Science aside; when an elder who’s been closed off and uncommunicative lifts her head, smiles, and begins to sing along, the power of music cannot be denied. –Audrey Greene

The American Music Therapy Association says music not only encourages positive changes in mental status, but it can even be beneficial in pain management. Music also provides a wonderful opportunity for social interaction and reminiscence.

Research shows music touches areas of the brain that may not be damaged by the disease. In doing so, it brings those healthy pathways to the forefront. The result can be an astounding “awakening” like that experienced by “Henry” when he listened to songs from his era.

You can find Audrey’s CD on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play, and she has graciously offered a copy to one lucky reader. To enter for a chance to win the CD, just leave a comment on this post. I’ll select a random winner on Saturday, January 25^th. Good luck!

Audrey Greene has 20 years experience working at nursing facilities throughout Rhode Island. Her biggest musical influences are Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, but she enjoys a wide variety of music, “anything from James Brown to Mozart.” Audrey’s goal is to raise awareness and encourage hope throughout the community with music. You can visit her website or find her on Facebook, and she can be reached via email at audreyjgreene@yahoo.com.