(Chelsea Update would like to thank Shawn Personke for the information and photo in this story.)
Silver Maples is partnering with the Chelsea District Library, Chelsea Senior Center, Ascent Audiology, and the Chelsea Retirement Community to bring the life-changing Music and Memory project to Chelsea area residents with dementia and other debilitating diseases.
The idea is simple, but the difference that Music and Memory is making in the quality of life of people with dementia and seriously ill people and their families, is nothing short of remarkable.
“We’re very excited about this community-wide project,” said Shawn Personke, director of wellness and public relations for Silver Maples of Chelsea. “And it’s only made possible through a grant from the Chelsea Community Foundation and so much time from our project partners and their staff.”
Personke said volunteers are needed to facilitate both the iTunes “tech” part of the project – creating personalized playlists and loading them onto iPods and shuffles; and the delivery part as Music Mates – working with people to gather music histories and/or play the personalized playlists and talk about the music of their past.
Two upcoming Music Mates training are scheduled.
- Silver Maples will offer a training session on Tuesday, May 26 at 4 p.m., for volunteers who would like to primarily volunteer at Silver Maples.
- Chelsea Retirement Community will offer a Music Mate training on Wednesday, May 27, at 7 p.m., for volunteers who may be volunteering primarily at CRC.
For information about interacting and communicating with people with dementia, the Chelsea District Library and the Alzheimer’s Association will be presenting
“Understanding Dementia-Related Behaviors” at the Chelsea District Library on Monday, June 29, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required here. Call the Chelsea District Library at 475-8732 for more information or to register.
Chelsea Music and Memory Project organizers are also looking for donations of old iPods and iTunes gift cards. Receipts for tax purposes can be provided.
For more information about volunteer opportunities, or to donate an iPod or a gift card, call Lynn Cottrell at Ascent Audiology 433-0699.
