While Ingleside’s cultural arts programming caters widely to the varying interests and passions one may have when deciding upon a retirement planning community, the art of music can be one of the most fulfilling (and healing) forms of therapy, offering an abundance of health benefits for residents.
Research has proven music to be a positive tool used to boost an individual’s mental and physical health. In fact, the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging determined that nearly all older adults (98%) stated that they receive some health-related benefit from music, whether it be positive effects on measures like blood pressure and depression, and most often supporting stress relief and relaxation. Music can also play a vital role in healthy aging by improving one’s mood, strengthening social connections, and supporting the brain health of seniors, specifically those with cognitive impairments such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Across Ingleside’s communities, residents can partake in a wide variety of cultural arts events, year-round activities, and music-oriented programming ranging from pop-up guest performances featuring local college student musical groups such as the Howard University and Duke Ellington choirs, to resident field trips to The Music Center at Strathmore and the Kennedy Center to see local concerts and support rising musicians.
At the Ingleside at King Farm campus, for example, residents can enjoy a weekly speaker series featuring local journalists, authors, actors, and politicians that drop in to give residents an opportunity to exchange insightful and healthy dialogue on subjects such as Supreme Court rulings, cultural movements and national calendar events. The community also hosts Foundation-sponsored music programs and a summer concert series featuring groups such as the Seth Kibel Ensemble, the Kathy Farmer Band, Pop Chicks and the Clarksburg High School Choir, while Ingleside at Rock Creek hosts weekly musical performances by local groups such as Levine Music and the Washington Conservatory within its Cultural Arts Center.
Ingleside’s Westminster at Lake Ridge community frequently welcomes musical groups like the Prince William Community Band, which includes the Dunbar Saxophone Quartet and the Quinn Winds. Other music groups like the Kings Park Band, the Lake Ridge Chorale, NiteHawk’s Swing Band, and Harmony Heritage Singers are incorporated into the programming, offering a variety of musical options for residents to enjoy.
Music Therapy Partnership with Levine Music
Ingleside understands music’s unique ability to unlock memories and serve as therapy for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Since spring of 2021, the senior living provider has partnered with Levine Music’s team of board-certified music therapists who strategically leverage music as a tool to help meet residents where they are, and to address everyone’s unique emotional, physical, cognitive, and social needs through therapeutic music programs. The partnership programming includes the following:
- Ingleside at Rock Creek, Levine Music’s specialists provide group and individual music therapy for older adults in the Memory Support Assisted Living program, the Assisted Living program, and the Skilled Nursing Unit.
- Ingleside at King Farm, representatives from Levine Music spend hours providing group and individual music therapy for older adults with memory disorders, including Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. The groups focus on bringing joy to residents and promoting the health and wellness of participants through reminiscence, active music-making with singing and instrument play, movement, listening, relaxation, and discussion with others.
“Music is a universal language that has a powerful ability to improve one’s health and well-being,” said Ruth Cogen, Ingleside resident and Founder of Levine Music. “The goal through Levine Music’s partnership with Ingleside, is to reach residents by making musical experiences more accessible and supportive of those who require special cognitive and memory care.”
Other opportunities for music therapy include in the Ingleside Engaged program at Westminster at Lake Ridge led by board-certified music therapist Amy Hewes, who is also the Director of Memory Support and Programming at the Virginia community. “Music is a powerful tool in Ingleside Engaged’s mission to provide members with opportunities for meaningful engagement and peer support. Sometimes we write songs together, sometimes we challenge our brains with learning new instruments, and other times we just enjoy singing and moving to music together.”
Music as a means to foster community and social interaction
According to the World Health Organization, music has also been proven to be a healing agent for those suffering from social isolation and loneliness, increasing their risk of experiencing depression and anxiety. At Ingleside, the power of music and the performing arts is used to help bring residents out of their shell, while aiding them in being more social and able to foster connections over a shared love for the performing arts.
Along with its mood-boosting benefits, music therapy can be an incredibly valuable tool used to create opportunities for meaningful social interaction among residents within senior living communities. Whether listening to music during therapy, attending a live performance on campus, singing with other residents, or learning about new instruments from world-class musicians, Ingleside fosters an environment where aging music lovers can feel just as embraced and have a sense of belonging.
To learn more about Ingleside’s cultural arts, music therapy and programming within each community, visit: https://inglesideonline.org/.