Latest musings on my experiences in Music Therapy
I spoke at a family/caregiver support group last week at Blossom Grove in Redlands, CA. It was an honor to sit with family members and friends of loved ones experiencing the difficult journey of Alzheimer’s and/or Dementia. If any of you who attended are reading this, I sincerely thank you for opening up and sharing your ideas, suggestions, difficulties, and joys as you walk through this difficult journey.
Read MoreWendy began working at Meadowbrook as the Assistant to the Memory Care Activities Director in 2017 and is now the Activities Director of Skilled Nursing and Memory Care. She tells me how she experiences joy by not only providing a safe and secure environment for her residents, but also by providing a variety of crafts, games, and musical activities that bring joy to her residents and their families.
Wendy shares what inspires her to provide music therapy and other activities to her residents:
Read MoreOne of my music therapy practicum experiences was working with Karen Skipper and her choir called the OC Tremble Clefs. Yep, I wrote it correctly - no typos in their title, and I love it. The Tremble Clefs are a group of people who have Parkinson’s Disease and sing together in a choir.
Read More“I love to be that person who puts a smile on residents’ faces. I loved being a caregiver, but I hated seeing the sadness and pain that the residents go through on a daily basis, so I was inspired to apply for the Community Life Director position. I have always loved taking care of others - even as a child. My motivation to be where I am today stems from that love.”
Read More“What I love most about my job is walking into the Memory Care Unit first thing in the morning and seeing the residents recognize me. They may not remember my name, but they always recognize my face and my voice. What’s even better is knowing that I get to help people journey through a difficult season of life, bringing joy and compassionate caring into their worlds when they feel alone and isolated.”
Read MoreAs I’ve been building my business this past year, I have spent much of my time working with residents in memory care facilities, providing group music therapy. In this setting I work on the following goals:
Read MoreI had the honor and privilege of having a booth at the Happiest Expo on Earth - hosted by Culver-Newlin. Thanks to their awesome director of sales and marketing - Devyn Goss - I got to provide a booth that was different from the rest of the school furniture companies around me.
Read MoreI am grateful to have had the opportunity to observe two music therapists in a private clinic, working with children who have Down’s Syndrome, Autism, and developmental and intellectual delays.
Read MoreProviding social interaction and normalization for a child with a long-term hospital stay is a key goal in music therapy.
Read MoreOne of my favorite things to do in hospice is to work with patients on legacy projects.
Read MoreMy challenge and goal is to figure out what best engages each student.
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