Science has shown music has a way of invoking memory. It's been used to help people suffering from dementia reconnect to themselves and to their environment.

The idea of using music in nursing homes took off after the debut in 2014 of Michael Rossato-Bennett's documentary, "Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory." The documentary showcased the work of Dan Cohen, who had been providing iPods to nursing homes since 2006 and is now the executive director of the nonprofit organization, Music and Memory. The film follows the stories of nursing home residents with dementia who were "reawakened" after listening to songs of their youth. The "Clip of Henry" confirms and illustrates everything about the power of music we've instinctively known... Music connects people to memories and life. Music and Memory now provides iPods to thousands of nursing homes across the country.

In 2017, Seashore Highlands became the pilot program of Music and Memory for Methodist Senior Services. Rebecca Anderson, Executive Director at Seashore Highlands, began the process of raising money for the new program through their Birdies for Charity Fundraiser in April. By May, they had raised $4,500 for the iPods with headphones and speakers for the residents, a laptop to manage the music purchases and iTunes cards to buy music with. After having the residents and their families complete an in-depth survey about likes and dislikes, Anderson led her dedicated team of staff members and volunteers in a search for just the right music for the residents to enjoy. "Elvis Presley seems to be the favorite of the people so far that we've played the music for," states volunteer Dave Vincent. "Some of them get up and actually want to dance, or they move their arms." The staff began using the iPods in August 2017 and the change in those receiving memory support was almost immediate. "You get residents who don't want to do anything to start eating better, participating, snapping their fingers, and just having a lot of fun," said Tewanna Arnold, Lead CNA at Seashore Highlands.

Each music session is customized to the listener so music ranges from gospel and bluegrass to big band and early rock and roll. "It's very rewarding to see the elders come alive when they have this music that they can listen to," said Vincent. Anderson explains that it has been a big help in caring for the elders with dementia. "Just this week we had a resident who had become agitated and didn't want to eat or bathe... he just wouldn't be calmed," she said. Anderson goes on to explain that they gave him his iPod with music and he calmed right down and was willing to change and eat. "We're seeing a lot of this. Instead of having to use medications, the music is able to calm the situation and we can meet their needs better."

Seashore Highlands currently has 20 iPods in rotation and is looking to add more. Traceway, Trinity Place, Martha Coker and Dugan have also joined the ranks of Music and Memories providers. All four supportive living locations were awarded money through the Civil Money Penalty Grant to fund the start-up of their Music and Memory program. "Of the 7 Mississippi organizations certified to provide Music and Memory, five of them belong to MSS," said Anderson. "We're always looking for better ways to serve our elders. I am so excited to see our elders benefitting from this and to see the lasting effects it's going to have on them."

In order to create awareness for the program at Seashore Highlands, Sarah Gregory, a high school senior at Christian Collegiate Academy, created a short video highlighting the program and its effects on the Seashore residents. As Anderson's daughter, Gregory already had a big heart for the Music and Memory program and wanted to see its message spread further. After loading the video to YouTube and a small social media blitz, the brief video has reached more than 5,000 people on behalf of Seashore.

"Apple has discontinued the production of iPods as of December of 2017, so we would appreciate donations of iPods to keep those 5 campuses providing music through that type of device," said Michelle Daniel, VP for Philanthropy and Strategic Implementation. "Of course, cash or iTunes cards are greatly appreciated too. We just want to keep the music flowing for the elders"

"This is one of the most rewarding programs I have been a part of in my life," said Vincent. "The technology lets the elders experience new things, so that they will have something new to talk about, but it also reconnects them with the past so they can share those stories and wisdom with us now."

Aldersgate will be working on Music and Memory this summer through the gift of a generous donor and an intern provided through the Riley Foundation. Future Music and Memory projects, such as Aldersgate's, will be utilizing scan disk for their individual play lists.