Music as a Lifeline: Finding Connection and Joy
For families navigating dementia, moments of recognition, joy, and connection are priceless. At Ingleside at Rock Creek (IRC), the Music & Wellbeing Program, expanded through support from the 2025 IRC Gala, brings music into daily life to support emotional, cognitive, and social well-being for all residents. For Cindy Chance, whose father Guy lives in Memory Support Assisted Living, music helps him reconnect to cherished memories and a lifelong sense of self. For Development Committee member Ruth Cogen, it creates an energizing shared experience that brings people together, demonstrating music’s unique ability to foster connection and enrich lives.
Q&A with Cindy Chance, Daughter of Ingleside at Rock Creek Resident, Guy Chance
How did your father come to live at IRC?
“My dad came to live with me when I realized that he had dementia. When it became clear how difficult it would be to care for him long-term, I started looking for a place for him. It was very emotional. We looked at a lot of communities, but IRC stood out as such a warm, homelike place.”
Why did Ingleside feel like the right environment?
“Dementia is different for everyone. It’s not one thing, so it’s important to have people who are trying to understand what matters to you and how you can still express yourself. I found that here. The team really wants to learn about him as a person. There’s always a reason behind behavior, because there’s still a person there with a full life and history.”
What role has music played in his life at IRC?
“He was a lifelong musician. He was a pianist, and music was always a big part of his life. He can’t play anymore, and he may not be able to express how much it means to him, but it’s still there. It’s part of who he is. When he hears music here, he lights up. He snaps his fingers, sings along, and remembers words I wouldn’t expect him to remember.”
What does it mean to see that connection continue?
“This is a connection to what has always given him joy. It wouldn’t be his life without music. Every time I visit, I see how happy it makes him. It’s such a meaningful reminder that even as things change, there are still pieces of him that are very much alive and present.”
Q&A with Ruth Cogen, Resident at Ingleside at Rock Creek
How did you first become involved with the Music & Wellbeing Program?
“It started with conversations about bringing music more intentionally into the community. I had learned about Music Therapy through Levine Music and Leanne Belasco, Director of Music Therapy at Levine Music, and saw how powerful it could be, but I also felt strongly that it shouldn’t be limited to therapy. It made sense to think about music as something that could be accessible to everyone as part of daily life.”
How does music bring residents together?
“When you are in the group, you have to listen to each other, and that’s what makes it so effective. Everyone comes with different abilities or comfort levels, but you’re creating something together. That shared experience brings people together in a way that feels natural.”
What impact have you seen from the program?
“At the end of a session, people will often say they feel more energized, more coordinated, and in a better mood than when they came in. You can really see the shift. It’s immediate, and it’s meaningful.”
Why do you think music is so important in a community like Ingleside?
“The arts are part of the rhythm of life. Music, singing, creativity. They all engage the brain and create connection. This program makes that accessible to people in a way that feels welcoming and inclusive, and that’s what gives it so much value.”