Mindful Music

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The Mindful Music Program is designed to provide personalized music intervention to stimulate the memory of people living with dementia, provide meaningful engagement and support self-expression and identity.

Senior woman listening to some good music.

If you would like further information, or to register for the Mindful Music program, please contact Vanessa:

What it's about

The Mindful Music program is designed to provide personalized music intervention to stimulate the person with dementia's memory, provide meaningful engagement through auditory stimulation, and support self-expression and identity. The playlist is designed based on the client’s current and past musical interests with the input of not only the client but caregivers and care partners as well.

Using music intervention, we can provide an immediate improvement in the quality of life for people living with dementia.

Alzheimer Society staff as well as volunteers, family members, and care partners assist in providing the music sessions using the iPod Shuffle and comfortable headphones.

How we got started

The Mindful Music program was inspired by the program 'Music and Memories' and the documentary 'Alive Inside'.

In April 2015, we partnered with Vision Nursing Home to pilot a similar music program in their facility with 5 residents. Thanks to the generosity of Vision Nursing Home who provided us with start-up funds, we were able to get the program started. In September 2015, we received a $1000 micro-grant from the Awesome Foundation as well as additional funds raised through the official Mindful Music launch.

How does the program work?

The program is accessible to those living in their own homes as well as Long Term Care facilities. Referral forms and music selection sheets are filled out by family and/or staff at the Long Term Care facility along with the client if able, and then sent to us for the playlist to be created. Playlists can take up to 30 days to be completed. If you or someone you know is interested in being a part of Mindful Music, please fill out the referral form and music selection sheet and either fax, email or drop off at our office.

The Alzheimer Society of Sarnia-Lambton will loan out the iPods until clients are no longer receiving the benefits of the music.