This program was designed as a 12-lesson affordable, mentally engaging music program for seniors, with each lesson lasting 1 hour.  Music is known to have beneficial effects for memory, and hearing and discussing songs from their youth will often help older adults remain mentally active.  

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The program combines elements of passive music therapy (listening to music) with active music therapy (singing along to songs and discussing them).  Active music therapy is known to be more effective than passive therapy, but few affordable active therapy programs exist.  This program was designed to fill that gap.  Not only were the seniors expected to clap along to the rhythm of a song from their youth and identify the instruments being used, they were also encouraged to share the specific memories that a song held for them and identify how the different components of the music contributed to the mood and imagery created by a particular song.  

The program was received well by residents and program directors at the Atria Woodlands Assisted Living community.  Please watch the video below to see how they reacted to the program.