Music, Connection, and Caregiving
St. John’s partnered with Lifespan of Greater Rochester and Nazareth University once again for a special two-day caregiver event that celebrated the connecting joy of music and clinically proven benefits of musical therapy.
This annual event is part of St. John’s ongoing efforts to support local caregivers in accessing the free resources they need to provide the best care to their loved ones living with dementia. Resources like respite, caregiving tools, and connections to organizations for further assistance are all vital in caregiving, which is often a full-time, unpaid job that many people take on along with additional career and family obligations. As in previous years, St. John’s, Lifespan, and Nazareth continued our partnership with an innovative and universal theme that many caregivers and their loved ones can connect with. This year’s theme: “Music, Connection, and Caregiving.”
The first event of the series took place at Nazareth University. A panel of speakers led by Dr. David Steitz, director of Nazareth’s gerontology program, included Kim Best, musical therapist; Nazareth University Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinic Manager in Communication Sciences and Disorders Jessi Preston; and musical therapy students Nazarene Campodonico and Hannah Piraino. The panel answered questions on all things musical therapy as a profession and shared their field experiences and stories of the ways music connects. The panel discussion was attended by Nazareth students, local professionals, and caregivers.
The second event, held at Brickstone by St. John’s, was an afternoon of musical exploration and connection. Nazareth University Music Therapy Program Director and Professor Laurie Keogh started the program with a presentation on the science of music therapy and the cultural power of music. She welcomed a few of her students as she led the audience in a few singing and movement exercises that caregivers can try at home with loved ones.
Following Keough’s informative and interactive presentation, attendees had the opportunity to meet with local organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Kim Best Music Therapy, the Nazareth University Music Therapy Clinic, and Lifespan of Greater Rochester. St. John’s Therapeutic Recreation Specialist John Eilers-Lloyd also had a table at which he presented the musical activities and full therapeutic recreation calendar that St. John’s Home residents and participants in our respite program enjoy.
The afternoon ended with a performance from the Eastman Community Music School’s Encore Chorus. The chorus is made up of individuals living with dementia and their care partners. They meet every week to rehearse and socialize.
St. John’s is happy to be continuing these partnerships, hosting informative and inspiring events, and connecting with caregivers to provide much needed community support to people living with dementia. To learn more about our efforts in dementia care and for more caregiving resources, please visit our Online Dementia Resource Center.
