A New Conversation: Park Place Embraces the Transformative Power of Music
It’s Tuesday morning, and a group of older adults use handbells, while another individual sits and plays the piano, all in time with Lisa Targonski-Cisneros’ flute. The group has just finished a heartwarming visit with a therapy dog and her handler, and soon they’ll all eat together while music gently plays in the background. This is a glimpse of what Memory Care looks like at Park Place of Elmhurst.
Lisa, the Memory Care Life Enrichment Coordinator here, is also a Certified Music Practitioner (CMP) and a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). She’s been part of the Park Place family since 2017 and has used her skills and knowledge to enhance lives at the community. A long-time teacher, as well as flutist for the Northwest Indiana Symphony, Lisa believes in the healing properties of music.
“We don’t just hear music with our ears,” she says. “We feel it on our skin and in our bones. It’s physical, and it elicits positive physical reactions.”
Lisa talks about how music lowers anxiety and blood pressure, as well as the way it can help respiratory function and stabilize heart rate. “During my CMP training, we had opportunities to actually watch people’s vitals improve while music played, and it was incredible.”
“In researching the subject, I find much material that talks abouts the effectiveness of music and what it does for our bodies. I’ve seen music completely change a person’s disposition,” Lisa says. “For example, a person is agitated and can’t seem to fall asleep and after a few minutes of music, they are more restful. “ In another instance, Lisa joined a resident who enjoyed Elvis and they sat, clapping and singing along. “There are many examples of music reaching a person or even a group of residents with dementia when nothing else seems to work, even if only for brief moments.”
Heather Gomez, Director of Education at Providence Life Services, agrees that music is a powerful tool, particularly with Memory Care. “Music can elevate the mood, spark memories, assist with reminiscence, encourage rhythmic movement, demonstrate strengths for those who can still play an instrument or sing despite other limitations,” she says. “We watch music help with self-expression, draw a person out of isolation and reconnect them with their identity, energize someone who is bored, calm someone who is agitated, and lead one to worship through hymns and spiritual songs. Music really reaches the whole person.”
One of the residents in Memory Care is a professional musician. “Her memory issues fade when she is at the piano,” Lisa says. “If it’s Bach, Handel, hymns, or other music, she can read the music.” This resident often accompanies Lisa when she plays the flute in other parts of the campus at Park Place.
Indeed, Lisa works beyond the Memory Care department, playing concerts for Assisted Living residents twice a month, playing in each doorway for skilled nursing residents every week, and anytime Chaplain Gerry Erffmeyer asks for her musical assistance, she’s there. But often, because of her calming presence, she is someone who can encourage residents to get dressed or eat meals while singing or humming together when they’ve been previously disinterested in those activities. Music seems to be the difference.
“I keep my instrument with me,” she says. “It’s my tool, and my hope is to help those having a hard day by engaging them in familiar music while observing positive changes in their mood.”
She is firm in saying there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to music for Memory Care.
“I have to be mindful about the music I choose, staying in the low to mid range of my instrument for those with hearing sensitivities.” Lisa says. “Some residents gravitate to hymns, others to patriotic music. My goal is to get to know each person and provide the music that can speak to them individually.”
When organizing group music, handbells are just one instrument the residents are involved in. “Residents also use shakers, scarves, the parachute, and various instruments to engage and encourage them to participate at a place that is at their comfort level,” Lisa says. “Some residents sing out with strong voices that we don’t hear in regular conversations.”
Lisa is quick to say that while music is incorporated in almost every aspect of life enrichment, the residents do much more. “They enjoy crossword puzzles, flower arranging, painting and even balloon volleyball while listening to their favorite music, such as Perry Como,” Lisa says.
In addition to Lisa’s work at Park Place, she volunteers with Providence Hospice as well, playing therapeutic music. “I play for each individual resident, monitoring their breathing patterns and body movements, and I adjust appropriately.” She recalls a hospice patient who was in his last days singing along with a hymn in perfect pitch while she played in his doorway. “You just have to be in the moment with each person,” she says.
Heather encourages music to play a key role in the treatment plans and daily activities of all residents. “I’ve watched the way music can build connections between people,” she says. “Once I sat next to a resident and attempted to engage in conversation, but it was soon apparent that she had lost the ability to hold a conversation.”
Heather noticed a snowman decoration nearby and Christmas music playing softly. “I started singing ‘Frosty the Snowman’ and she joined in right away. We smiled and sang Christmas songs together for some time. The pressure of a conversation was replaced by a delightful musical engagement. I found out later that she was a singer in her younger years. Now, here she was, demonstrating her strength and reconnecting with her identity.”
Heather explains that when a person with dementia is losing cognitive skills required for typical conversation (logic, reasoning, verbal skills, etc.) many loved ones don’t know what to do. “With good intentions, family and friends continue to ask questions, such as ‘What did you have for lunch?’ Or ‘Did you enjoy the activity?’” she says. “They may also give long explanations which will likely frustrate or even agitate a person with dementia. Sadly, loved ones may give up, walk away, or stop visiting. Music is one strategy that may help overcome these challenges.”
Lisa and Heather both hope to spread the hopeful information that music can connect people to their loved ones with memory issues.
“It’s all about educating,” Lisa says. “It’s important that we never stop teaching and we never stop learning. Change when you need to change, but keep what’s working. That’s how you make sure you’re doing your best for each person, and that’s what everyone deserves.”
If you know someone who is struggling with the challenges of dementia, Providence can help. Join us for one of our Alzheimer’s Support Groups.
