There are a lot of recycling programs when it comes to technology, like recycling our old phones and such, but one program is doing a little extra. Music & Memory is a nonprofit that is giving music back to the elderly. They’re doing this through creating personalized playlists on donated iPods or mp3 players.
Giving Music Back to Seniors
Dan Cohen, a tech-focused social worker, started the program in 2006 with just a laptop and two iPods. His original goal was to help with the technology gap that affects the elderly. He knew that most people thought iPods were for young people, but they could do a lot of good for seniors who love music just like anyone else.
Even if Alzheimer’s and dementia made seniors forget their memories, their emotions are still intact. Music is somehow able to reach deep within that and bring back feelings and possibly the memories that go with them.
The Power of Hard Work
From the humble beginnings of having just two iPods to now collecting 200 of them a month, Music & Memory is going strong. The program gets endorsements from famous musicians like Elvis Costello and even has it’s own documentary.
The program has grown so much because of the effects it has on seniors. Nursing communities sometimes struggle to keep residents happy, engaged, and social. They often use live musical performances for that.
Now there can be that sort of power in the palm of their hand. Seniors’ faces light up when they hear their personalized music. Some communities have reported a decrease in bad behavior, less wandering, and more social interaction after listening to their music.
Because of this power, around 400 nursing communities in each state have adopted the program. There are around 5,000 facilities across the world that have joined the program. Cohen is hoping that it will get even bigger so that they can help more people.
Read more about this amazing program here.