A NEW CONVERSATION
“For example, a person is agitated and can’t seem to fall asleep and after a few minutes of music, they are more restful. “ In another instance, Lisa joined a resident who enjoyed Elvis and they sat, clapping and singing along. “There are many examples of music reaching a person or even a group of residents with dementia when nothing else seems to work, even if only for brief moments.” Heather Gomez, Director of Education at Providence Life Services, agrees that music is a powerful tool, particularly with Memory Care. “Music can elevate the mood, spark memories, assist with reminiscence, encourage rhythmic movement, demonstrate strengths for those who can still play an instrument or sing despite other limitations,” she
says. “We watch music help with self-expression, draw a person out of isolation and reconnect them with their identity, energize someone who is bored, calm someone who is agitated, and lead one to worship through hymns and spiritual songs. Music really reaches the whole person.” One of the residents in Memory Care is a professional musician. “Her memory issues fade when she is at the piano,” Lisa says. “If it’s Bach, Handel, hymns, or other music, she can read the music.” This resident often accompanies Lisa when she plays the flute in other parts of the campus at Park Place. Indeed, Lisa works beyond the Memory Care department, playing concerts for Assisted Living residents twice a month, playing in each doorway for
Lisa talks about how music lowers anxiety and blood pressure, as well as the way it can help respiratory function and stabilize heart rate. “During my CMP training, we had opportunities to actually watch people’s vitals improve while music played, and it was incredible.” “In researching the subject, I find much material that talks abouts the effectiveness of music and what it does for our bodies. I’ve seen music completely change a person’s disposition,” Lisa says. LEFT | Lisa Targonski-Cisneros, CMP, CDP; RIGHT | Heather Gomez, BSN, CDP, CADDCT
16 PROVIDENCE MAGAZINE | Issue No. 1
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