NSU Health Professions Students use Music to reach Seniors struggling with Memory Loss

NSU physical therapy student listens to music with Covenant Village of Florida resident Naomi Kirchenbaum

The sounds of Frank Sinatra, Bach, Big Band, and a bit of jazz streamed into the earbuds of a group of older adults taking part in a music project initiated by students in Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Health Professions Division and in collaboration with Covenant Village of Florida, a faith-based, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community. The hope was to create a positive experience for residents with dementia by using the sound of familiar music.

“We were hoping the music would create a positive experience that would trigger happy emotions, prompt verbalization, and tap into their memories,” said Elizabeth Hames, D.O., CMD, assistant professor in the Department of Geriatrics at NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Participants’ responses ranged from wide-eyed surprise, laughter and nostalgia, to a sense of calm and even intrigue, as one participant focused on mastering the buttons on his portable music player, gifted to him by the NSU Geriatrics Club.

“This is where the passion comes from,” said NSU physical therapy student and Geriatrics Club Vice President Joseph Daniels, gesturing to the roomful of residents who were chatting with students, working on crafts, or enjoying the calming effects of the music. One of 15 medical students who participated in the project, he will begin his physical therapy residency next year and plans to specialize in geriatrics.

Hames said the music project was inspired by Dan Cohen’s documentary “Alive Inside,” which chronicles the positive impact music can have on those with memory loss. Students from the Geriatrics Club wanted to model the music project on Cohen’s program and test it locally. Covenant Village of Florida was a natural choice.

“NSU faculty and students are a familiar and welcoming presence at Palm Villa and the Care Center,” said Karen Northover, Covenant Village of Florida’s healthcare administrator. “Students come here to learn, observe, and interact with older adults as part of their education. The music project was an opportunity that benefited both of our organizations. What better way to create joy and peace of mind for our residents and their families by providing a better way of life.”

Palm Villa and Care Center residents selected for the project had mild, moderate, or severe dementia. They were paired with students who spent an afternoon talking with them about their hobbies, talents, favorite songs, and preferred music genres. In some cases, family members were interviewed to provide more detail.

Students used this information to create a customized playlist of 8-10 songs for each resident and then uploaded those songs on his or her portable music player. Each resident also received their own gift bag that contained items chosen specifically for them, in hopes of triggering a memory.

Costs associated with the purchase of the portable music players, music downloads, and other items were covered by a $700 grant awarded to the club by the NSU Health Professions Division Pan – Student Government Association.

Although many of the NSU Geriatrics Club members will begin their clinical rotations or residencies next year, Hames said she hopes the project can continue. “We have a new batch of students each year, but I hope we can continue visiting with residents and uploading music. Anything non-pharmacological that can make quality of life better is worth doing.”