Meet Brett, who participates in the Music & Memory program at the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina. Brett is living with dementia and experiences anxiety, making it difficult for him to stay calm throughout the day and connect with others. However, when he listens to his personalized music playlist, he becomes much calmer and is able to enjoy activities such as watching football with his sister and primary caregiver, Debee. Thanks to generous donors and supporters, the lives of Brett and seniors just like him benefit from being a part of the Music & Memory program.  ..read more

Meet Carol, who participates in the Music & Memory program at Santa Marta Retirement Community in Olathe, Kansas.  Carol is every bit the social butterfly, and music is a big part of why she is so happy. Before joining the Music & Memory program, Carol experienced anxiety that made it difficult to connect with others, but when listening to her favorite music, she can leave her worries behind and enjoy her day.  Carol is very fond of Doris Day, Johnny Cash, and “the king himself”,  Elvis Presley.  Two of her favorite songs are “You Are My Sunshine” and “Sentimental ..read more

We’re so excited to be launching a new campaign, Music is Medicine, with recording artist BRÏAH!!! Her latest song, “If The Sky Should Fall,” was inspired by her own experience with three of her grandparents battling Alzheimer’s, and how music is bringing comfort to them. Alongside the launch, BRÏAH is releasing an animated music video for “If the Sky Should Fall”, with the purpose of educating the world about the healing power of music. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfI9RFsH4aU Learn more: www.musicandmemory.org/musicismedicine #musicismedicine #briah #musicandmemory ..read more

We hope you’ll take a moment to watch the Fund for NYC Health + Hospitals’ short film, Healing with Harmony: A Music & Memory Story, which beautifully captures Music & Memory’s positive impact on residents and staff. We find this film so inspiring because it captures the lengths that staff will go to bring comfort and joy to the people they support. These are the heroes who work hard every day to create environments that are sensitive to residents’ needs and ensure that they all receive the care they deserve. As we gear up for our end-of-year fundraising campaign, we want y ..read more

We are so grateful to be honored by our partner, the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, at the upcoming event, Music Has Power®, on November 20th, 2023, at the Times Center in New York City, and we hope you can join us for this exciting event, which will feature live music performances and celebrity guest speakers. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available on their website, and if you’re unable to attend in person, you can still join us by live streaming the event via their Facebook page. We hope to see you there! BUY TICKETS The Music Has Power® Awards is ..read more

Meet Ruth, who participated in the Music & Memory Program at Pickering Manor in Newtown, Pennsylvania until she was 103 years old. Her all time favorite song was the broadway hit, ‘On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)’, and listening to it always brought back memories of sailing with her family. There were times when Ruth’s hearing loss made it difficult and frustrating for her to communicate with others, but when listening to her favorite music she would instantly connect and smile ear to ear, belting out the lyrics for all to enjoy. The truth is, Ruth is not alone. There are millions of ..read more

Meet Fran, who participates in the Music & Memory program at the Alzheimer’s Outreach Program (AOP), a free community service offered by Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley, California. Fran has an infectious smile and laugh, and a spirit of youthfulness inspired by her years as an elementary school teacher. She enjoys listening to music very much, and loves to revisit the songs the helped to define her life; particularly her favorite church hymns and country artists. Fran is living with dementia, which makes it difficult for her to communicate with others, but she continues to ..read more

Meet Amy, who participates in the Music & Memory program at Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center, in Elkins, West Virginia. Before joining the program, Amy would sometimes experience anxiety which made it difficult for her to enjoy her day.  But when listening to her favorite music, she is much happier, especially when enjoying her Broadway favorites like the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. The truth is, Amy is not alone. There are millions of Americans, like Amy, living in long-term care facilities who face cognitive and physical difficulties, having left behind their familiar surr ..read more

I’d like to tell you the story of Jay Hickerson, a talented and popular entertainer who brought the healing power of music to residents in nursing homes for over 25 years. Like many musicians, Jay was passionate about helping others, and used his considerable talents to reach people. In the late 1980’s, Jay began playing at the Whitney Center, a not-for-profit senior living community in Hamden, Connecticut, where his mother was a resident. After his performance, he was quickly asked to return. Before long, word of mouth took over and Jay was in demand at many ..read more

Meet Gordon, who participates in the Music & Memory program at the Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore, Kentucky. Before joining the program, Gordon would often become agitated and refuse care and medication, but when listening to his personalized music playlist, he became much happier and found it easier to engage with others. Gordon loves listening to his crooner favorites like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and whenever he has his music he always sings along with a smile that lights up the room! While Gordon has access to his favorite music, many seniors are less fortunate. There ar ..read more