1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = MUSIC

Inspiration, thoughts and recommendations from Mary Sue!

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Dear Advocates for Seniors,

You know the expression “It takes a village?” Often we think of that in terms of family and friends. But within the work of caring for and supporting seniors, I think this saying also holds true. As a member of the Bay Area Senior Advocates (BASA) I see this in action every month as we gather, not as competitors, but as colleagues. So this week I want to pause and share just one success story that has grown out of the BASA “village”.

Some time ago I learned of the Music and Memory project that involves providing personalized playlists of music on IPods with headphones for people with dementia and others. Russ Knopp from Comfort Keepers and Shannon Reed from the Alzheimer’s Association and I worked together to bring the film “Alive Inside”, which documents this project, to the State Theater, hoping to introduce this to our community and encourage implementation.

I started asking around at the places where I play music to see if anyone was doing this or if anyone was interested in starting it. I learned that Penny Hanks from The Grand Traverse Pavilions was already trying to bring this program to her residents. But she had not been able to arrange funding.

A few months passed and Lisa Robitshek invited me to speak at the Meals on Wheels Volunteers annual meeting. I talked about the power of music and after my talk I was asked by one of the volunteers if I knew anyone in our area that was using the headphones like the Music and Memory project. The individual at the meeting, whose name I don’t even know, told me he wanted to support it if someone was interested in doing it. I told him about Penny and the Pavilions.

At the Senior Expo this gentleman and I met again at my booth and I was able to walk him right over to meet Penny. In what seemed like a flash he had agreed to provide funding, and with some matching dollars Penny was able to implement this program. Now there will be seniors with headphones experiencing the power of music to bring them happiness at the Pavilions.

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = MUSIC. All because in BASA we share information with each other, we collaborate and we care.

Our “village” is strong and I’m so proud to be a part of it. Thank you for all that you do.

Connecting with you,
Mary Sue

“If music is such an important aspect of people’s lives from the time they are born, why is it that it doesn’t really occur to us, as a society, to provide people with music when they can no longer do what is necessary to provide it for themselves? Music has power, and we need to remember to keep everyone plugged in!”
Petr Janata, PhD
Neuroscientist Guggenheim Fellow, UC Davis, Center for Mind and Brain, Music Has Power TM Award Winner

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Mary Sue Wilkinson is the founder of Singing Heart to Heart_TMand the Young at Heart Music Program. She is a career educator and professional musician. And she loves to sing! Her flagship program, Young at Heart Music, is devoted to bringing the joy of music and singing to seniors with decades of life experiences and memories tied to music. Mary Sue is available as a speaker sharing her expertise about the power of music to awaken memories and bring joy. Together with Tiyi Schippers, Mary Sue also provides music experiences for young children and trainingfor early childhood educators.

Contact Info:
www.youngatheartmusic.com
marysue@youngatheartmusic.com
Phone: 231.233.2948

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