ALLE SALAZAR, CSWCOUNSELOR & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE

Music & Memory: How Many Memories Does an

iPod Hold?

The Music & Memory Program

iPod-based personalized playlists to older adults and individuals suffering from dementia or other chronic illness, such as: Depression Isolation Visual impairment Mental health concerns Palliative care Hospice Cancer Multiple Sclerosis

Why Does It Work With Cognitive Decline?

Music is profoundly linked to personal memories

Our brains are hard-wired to connect music with long-term memory

For individuals with dementia, more recent memory for things (names, places, facts) are compromised, but memories from younger years are well preserved

What are the Benefits?

Numerous outcomes studies find that Music & Memory has significant positive impacts Increased awareness, cognition, and engagement Reduced agitation, anxiety, and problematic behaviors Pain and depression reduction Improved communication Restored sense of identity and increased socialization Increased mobility

The History of Music & Memory

Dan Cohen, a social worker in New York, began thinking about wide availability of technology and how it could be used for elderly

He wondered what it would be like to live without his favorite music

He searched online and found that nursing homes were not using this technology

He volunteered at a local facility to test the idea

The History of Music & Memory

Received funding from the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation to expand program further

Established program as a non-profitAs of August 2014, the program is available

in: 6 countries 44 states 600 facilities or community organizations

Almost exclusively in long-term care settings

See For Yourself…

Henry’s Story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyZQf0p73QM&feat

ure=player_embedded

Alive Inside

After the Henry clip was made, Michael Rosato-Bennett, a filmmaker, followed Dan for the next 3 years

Featured at Sundance 2014Audience Award for Best US DocumentaryRelease in select theaters in June 2014Anticipated upcoming Netflix debut this Fall

How Did JFS Discover Music & Memory?

Henry’s story went viral NPR Story about Henry was shared with staff at JFS

We connected with Dan to find out how we could be involved Program seemed adaptable to our services Dan was responsive and supportive in this process

Why Is This A Good Fit for JFS?

JFS Non-denominational private non-profit 501c3 Funded by grants and individual donations Sliding fee scale for all services

Mission Statement JFS seeks to strengthen individuals, families, and

communities through counseling, care management, and community education We focus on support for caregivers and those striving to

age-in-place Also offer support and referrals when necessary to move

to long-term care

Why is This a Good Fit for JFS?

Our goal to help individuals age in place Offering the program in the community supports

aging in place Supports caregivers and family as a means of respite

and connection Administrative Considerations

Meets mission of organization Arts programming (never before offered at JFS) Expands current, and opens new funding streams for

grants and donations Utilizes a strong volunteer component, which is a

strength of the agency

Utah’s Music & Memory Presence

JFS was certified as a Music & Memory organization in January 2014 3 day webinar, 1.5 hours each day First organization in Utah to be certified Only organization in Utah providing community-based

programming at this timeNow in 40 facilities throughout Utah

A complete list can be found at www.musicandmemory.org

Our Process

Client is Referred to the

Program

In-Home Assessment is

Completed with Client (and CG if applicable)

Client or CG pays $50 one

time fee if able

Client is Matched with

Volunteer

Volunteer Completes Music

Interview with Client (and CG if

applicable)

Volunteer Downloads/Uploa

ds Music for Playlist and Loads

onto Device

Volunteer Introduces iPod to

Client, Demonstrates

Use, Establishes Charging Plan

Volunteer Follows Up After a Week’s Time, and After As

Needed

The Assessment & Referral Process

In-Home Assessment Environment Personality/temperament

Making A Referral Client or family can contact us You can contact us with client information with their

expressed permission

Role of Volunteers

The fun stuff!Responsibilities:

Interview program recipients and caregivers about music preferences

Download and assemble recipient’s personalized iPod playlist using iTunes gift cards

Load playlist onto donated iPod (preferably iPod Shuffle)

Introduce playlist to recipient and make changes as necessary

The Music Interview

Goal: Identify 80-100 song selections 10-15 favorite artists Checklists of frequently identified music and music interview

provided by the programA few of the questions:

What music did you listen to when you were young? Did you sing at religious services? What were your favorite

hymns? Did you go to shows or musicals? Did you go dancing? Do you have any records, tapes, or CDs of your favorite music?

Where can I find them? What songs did you dance to at your wedding? High school

prom?

What Kind of Music Do They Like?

A little bit of everything!Music preferences vary as much as the

people being served

Danish Israeli Christian Hymns Big Band

Country Rock & Roll Soul Opera

Classical Broadway Patriotic

And Much More

Our iTunes Library

After 5 months of providing the program, our iTunes library is vast, and always growing More than 30GB of music

12 days Over 4,600 songs

Challenges & Lessons Learned

iTunes Some volunteers aren’t familiar with iTunes They may or may not want to learn Use specific volunteers for specific parts of the project

Assess skill sets, commitment, and interest

Goal Recommended Qualities & Skills

Establish a well-organized music library •Passion for finding the right music for each person•Enjoys researching music•Understands iTunes•Computer savvy•Detail oriented

Research Favorite Music •Excellent communication skills•Thoughtful listener•Compassion for and interest in elders•Adept at note-taking

Teach Client/Resident How to Use iPod •Understand use of device •Excellent oral communication skills•Empathetic and patient•Enjoys teaching

Challenges & Lessons Learned

Facility Computer Limits volunteer’s freedom

Have to schedule computer time Increased staff time because of full-time working volunteers

May be easier to accommodate in long-term care settingDonations

iPods often come without charging equipment iTunes gift cards are less often donated

They forget to listen, or how to use device Volunteers encouraged to check in on challenges Caregivers and family can assist if available In long-term care settings, this may be easier

Structure Staff to assist

Where We Are…

JFS (as of August 2014) Clients Served: 19 Volunteers Trained: 14

Feedback “She seemed to tolerate the earphones without any problem, and my sister and

I noted that she seemed to pay attention to the music even when her eyes were closed.  She would tap her feet, hum as if trying to sing, and smile in apparent recognition of familiar songs… We were able to  do 30 minute sessions in three successive days.  After each listening session, our mother was more alert, interactive, and her mood was positive for a significant interval.  It was wonderful to be able to give my mom a little pleasure in her day.”

“He really seemed to enjoy listening to the music.  He was humming and singing along…And I love the thought that he might be comforted and receive some joy from the music - and the memories.”

“My dad listens to his iPod every day. He sings along and smiles widely. He tells stories I’ve never heard about his youth. This has opened up such a meaningful opportunity to connect with my father again. Thank you for providing this program.”

Community Collaborations

Skullcandy Zion’s Bank donation of $100,000 toward equipment Skullcandy’s ethnographic research

Center for Alzheimer’s Care, Imaging, and Research (CACIR)- University of Utah fMRIs of brain activity of those affected with dementia

listening to their custom iPods Awaiting IRB approval

Utah Coalition for Music & Memory A collaborative group of government, non-profit, Music

& Memory representatives, Skullcandy, and other senior care professionals

Traction in Facility Settings

The Utah Health Care Association Grant for Music & Memory in all member facilities 40 facilities thus far certified and trained 100 total planned 15 residents in each facility will be provided with

program to start A complete list can be found at

www.musicandmemory.orgAll of this work, JFS and Utah HCA included,

has happened since January of this year

What Would Be On YOUR Playlist?

Consider music’s power to bring us back to memories in a vivid way What songs do this for you? Why? What would be a must for your playlist?

Questions? Comments?

Alle Salazar, CSWJewish Family Service

1111 E Brickyard Rd, Suite 218Salt Lake City, UT 84106

801.746.4334alle@jfsutah.org

Please feel free to make referrals as

necessary