Just Press Play! Awakening the Mind through Music
The Just Press Play program provides residents with an iPod filled with personalized music. It allows an individual with dementia to reconnect with the world through their favorite songs while improving quality of life and reducing behaviors caused by the effects of dementia.
Just Press Play Coalition: The Recreational Therapist from BMNTC, staff from the Land of Sky Regional Council (including regional Ombudsmen), and various other volunteers ranging from psychologists to family members of long term care facility residents collaborated to establish this program for individuals with a diagnosis of dementia across Buncombe County. Since beginning in 2014, Just Press Play has expanded to reach long term care communities in Henderson, Transylvania, and Madison counties as well with the progressive goal of reaching all counties in this region.
“A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry has found that music and memory therapy, personalized to the person listening, can improve symptoms of dementia and reduce the use of antipsychotic and antianxiety medication in people with the disease” (Sauer, 2017).
In an article written by Alissa Sauer she quotes the Executive Director of the institute for Music and Neurologic Function in saying “You can see the value of this program as being not just a casual activity, but almost a necessity for daily care, because of the promise and potential that it has for enhancing the quality of life” (2017).
According to Sauer (2017) a research team from Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center and lead by “Andrew Budson, associate director for research at the center, believes there are two theories to explain the effects of music on people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. First, he believes that because music has emotional content it can trigger emotional memories, which he says are ‘some of the more powerful memories that we have.’ Another reason music can be so transformative to people with Alzheimer’s, is that when we learn music, we store the knowledge as procedural memory. Procedural memory is associated with routines and repetitive activities. As dementia progresses, episodic memory is destroyed but procedural memory is largely left intact.”
5 Reasons Why Music Boosts Brain Activity (Sauer, 2014)
- Music evokes emotions that bring memories.
- Musical aptitude and appreciation are two of the last remaining abilities in dementia patients.
- Music can bring emotional and physical closeness.
- Singing is engaging.
- Music can shift mood, manage stress and stimulate positive interactions.
iPod Powered
iPod Nano’s and iPod Shuffles.. These power packed music players are central to powering the Just Press Play program. Their compact size (smaller than a book of matches) and ability to clip onto clothing make them ultra-portable and convenient for use.
Earbuds/Headphones/Speakers..
The only other components required are earbuds, speakers, or headphones. Individual preferences are noted and appropriate components are paired and/or adapted to enable the joy of music to enhance life quality for the residents of BMNTC.
Just Press Play…
BMNTC has partnered with Warren Wilson College students to gather ongoing information regarding residents likes, dislikes, and preferences for the music they are most fond of. Music playlists are organized and downloaded by BMNTC certified personnel and then are made available to residents of the facility.
Just Press Play! How it benefits the residents of BMNTC
Examples of ways that Just Press Play has benefited residents of BMNTC:
- Enjoyment and pleasure
- Awakening the mind
- Calming effects for negative behaviors
- Aid in completing daily tasks such as showers and brushing teeth
- Increase the ability to sit through and complete a meal
What sets the program at BMNTC apart from other facility’s programs?
iPod models used:
- Nano- provides a screen to easily navigate between different playlists, artists, genres, etc. Many residents residing on the dementia units have at least two playlists consisting of their preferred individualized music and a relaxation playlist.
- Shuffle- small and compact. Less distracting.
Headphones:
- Noise cancelling headphones in order to lessen a normally over stimulating environment and background noise. Ear buds are not used unless it is a preference by the resident.
- Cords are taped to the headphones in order to reduce the risk of issues or confusion arising from hanging cords.
- Taped cords and headphones are then wrapped by an individualized fabric cover created and Sewn at BMNTC.
- iPods are then attached to the side of the headphones by glue or Velcro. This is so that individualized iPods and personal headphones stay together as one unit. iPods and headphones are not shared between residents.
Not all residents like or can tolerate headphones. Other adaptations used:
- Stationary speakers in resident’s rooms
- Small speakers that can be attached to a shirt, wheelchair, walker, etc.
- Stuffed Animal/Plush Speakers
- Potted plant speakers
- Floating waterproof speakers for the bathtub or shower