We have just learned that a 2016 Excellence Award winner (Paula Curtis and her Health Science 12 students at H.J. Cambie Secondary) has been able to use one of our awards to help facilitate and put into motion the ‘Music and Memories’ Project at Pinegrove Place Care Home.
Partnering with the Therapeutic Recreation Department at Pinegrove Place Care Home the students worked on setting up personalized music playlists for the residents, which were recently delivered on iPods and other digital devices purchased with Excellence grant funds.
The students created a personalized playlist for each resident. It’s about the intimacy of residents listening to THEIR individual playlist music (that they have intimate connections with) on IPODS and headphones.
Extensive neuroscience research suggests that these musical favourites can tap deep memories not yet lost to dementia, as well as, improved cognition, communication, and quality of life for older persons with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia.
Katie Hrudey of Pinegrove thanked the teachers, students and the BCRTA Excellence program for their help in creating this inter-generational project. “With generous people like yourselves,” she wrote, “we are able to provide these wonderful and unforgettable experience for our residents.”
Stefan Cieslik
Chair, Excellence in Education Committee
