MUSIC SHARE
We believe in the power of music to connect people back to the power of themselves.
Our mission is to provide seniors with emotive music listening experiences and alleviate symptoms of social isolation
About Us
Music Share is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing senior social isolation through individualized music-based programming.
We provide participants with music specific to their personal histories and preferences in an effort to trigger memories, reconnect them with their past, and stimulate various areas of the brain involved in memory and emotional processing.
Music Share was founded in 2017 by Julian Powell as a way to connect youth volunteers with isolated seniors living in long term care communities. Together they listened to, and talked about, music treasured by the senior participants.
Since learning of COVID-19 Music Share has developed distanced programming in an effort to provide meaningful and emotive entertainment to residents experiencing increased isolation due to the virus.
Programs
Drop-off
We provide seniors, living in residential communities with music specific to their personal preferences to trigger memories, reconnect them with their past, and stimulate areas of the brain involved memory in emotional processing.
Participants request the music they would like to hear and Music Share provides playlists filled with their favourite hit songs
Playlists are organized on to tablets and delivered to communities weekly with wireless bluetooth speakers for a high quality listening experience.
suspended due to COvid-19
one-to-one
Facilitators are trained and paired with senior residents to engage in weekly one-to-one music listening sessions.
Seniors request the music they would like to hear or will have music suggested by family members and/or caregivers.
As the music plays facilitators prompt conversation in an effort to trigger memories and moments of lucidity.
Music is used as an access point to natural bonding that takes place through shared experience.
remote Playlisting
Seniors request the music they would like to hear or will have music suggested by family members and/or caregivers.
Volunteers are trained to build playlists for residents based on their personalized requests.
Care staff are provided with a unique Spotify account to access the playlists via tablets owned by the community.
Seniors can request music at their own leisure or have dedicated listening times facilitated by care staff.
One-to one Virtual
Facilitators connect with seniors over Zoom and access personalized music playlists for one-to-one listening sessions
Facilitators are trained to engage residents, prompt memories, and encourage conversation
Seniors request the music they would like to hear using Music Share's "Music Preference Questionnaire"
Facilitators meet with residents weekly in an effort to build relationships and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation
Communities
Chartwell Gibson
Chartwell Woodhaven
Hawthorn Woods Care Community
Garden Court
St. George Care Community
Eden House
Deerwood Creek
Johnathan Gangadeen
Recreation Coordinator
Luca Kamber
Director of Operations Sunrise Senior Living
Sponsors
Paola Di Designs is helping to support programming at St. George Care Community and The Westbury LTC. With their help we're providing meaningful music to seniors facing increased isolation due to COVID-19.
Paola Di Designs
* Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click here
Testimonials
Debbie Mccance
Program and Support Services Manager
“The team at Music Share have been extremely helpful to our Home during the COVID-19 pandemic. They drop off multiple tablets and the recreation team is able to provide the customized music playlist to the residents throughout the day. This allows our team to continue to offer individual virtual visits, outdoor visits with families and other recreation and social activities throughout the pandemic."
"Sunrise believes that this program would be an effective way to reach some of the more unengaged residents of our communities."
"Music Share was a truly valued addition to the programming at St. George Community Care. The focus on social interaction and familiar music is really what helps this program stand apart from other music programs currently being offered. Over time staff noted that residents who took part in Music Share seemed to be in an overall better mood and were more talkative than they had been prior to starting the program."
If you are interested in bringing Music Share to your community, volunteering your time as a Playlister or Facilitator, or becoming a sponsor please reach out now!