FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - February 25, 2020 - (Newswire.com)
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, music can have a positive impact on individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. With that in mind, The Carolina Inn has enhanced its musical programming.
One of the goals of Heather Trainor, life enrichment director at the Fayetteville, North Carolina, assisted living community, is to bring live professional performances to The Carolina Inn as well as offer residents the opportunity to learn and play music. Her efforts are being rewarded. The organist at Snyder Baptist Church, whose mother lives at The Carolina Inn, was so impressed with the musical environment that the organization recently gifted a piano to the community.
“Music is a big part of many activities here,” said Trainor. “It brings people together, creates a connection and gives seniors who are struggling to communicate verbally a way to express themselves.”
She pointed to the numerous studies that have been published demonstrating how music affects the brain, often relieving stress, agitation and anxiety in older adults. Trainor has experienced this firsthand, watching those with memory loss become more present when engaged in a musical performance.
“I’ve seen dementia patients sing songs they knew from years ago even though they may not understand exactly what is going on around them in the moment,” she said. “Others have told me how incredible it feels when they hear a tune that brings back a cherished memory. Their faces literally light up.”
The new piano is being used for sing-a-long hymns with Pastor Boyle and Ginny on Sundays as well as additional performances, including when The Carolina Highlands Choir visits in March. Also coming are local favorites Luke Lowe, David Riska with pianist Leslie Penrod performing songs by Stephen Foster and Irving Berlin, and the Ladies Trio from First Presbyterian Church. The end of the month welcomes Final Harvest, a trio of women based out of Rochester, New York, who travel to senior living communities throughout the eastern states performing a wide range of musical styles including southern gospel, contemporary and original classical inspirational.
This past January, the Fayetteville symphony orchestra was invited to perform on campus, playing popular and familiar “oldies.” Orchestra members even took the time to visit the rooms of those who were unable to attend the main concert.
“These are some of the best-attended activities we have,” said Trainor. “Everyone loves to participate.”
The extensive musical program at The Carolina Inn is just one of many Life Enrichment opportunities that have earned the boutique assisted living community the designation as the senior living destination in Fayetteville. With a resort-style ambiance, it also provides seniors with quality healthcare with the highest licensed nursing-to-resident ratio in the area.
The Carolina Inn is located in the heart of Fayetteville's Village Green neighborhood. To schedule a tour, log onto CarolinaInnNC.com or call (910) 829-0100.
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Original Source: Music Builds Camaraderie and Cognizance for Seniors at The Carolina Inn
