“The moment when Maria Callas began singing ‘O mio babbino caro,’ in Sherman Emery’s ears, tears welled up in his eyes,” writes Brian Early on Wednesday (6/22) at Seacoastonline.com (Portsmouth, NH). Emery, 92, is one of “ten residents at Durgin Pines nursing home who will receive iPods in the coming weeks loaded with their favorite music as a part of a state-wide initiative called Maine Music & Memory. The program aims to bring music to individuals with a dementia diagnosis as part of a year-long study to see if it improves patients’ quality of life as well as reduces … events like depression or falls. Durgin Pines, along with 40 other nursing homes in Maine, received a grant from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services [for] the Music & Memory program.” Using music to help with dementia “was highlighted by the 2014 documentary ‘Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory.’ … At Durgin Pines, [administrator Nick] Bridges said music is often incorporated into activities and programs.” Resident Berle Decato, 88, “said listening to music reminded her of going to dances … in her younger years.”
Posted June 24, 2016
