On Sunday afternoons residents of Eaglestone Lodge at Kamsack are involved in a program being led by Tracy and Darren Kitsch of Kamsack, their children, other young parents and their children, with the objective of rediscovering the joy of making Music Together.
Tracy and her husband Darren, who is the band instructor at the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute, conduct a business called Harmony House Music. Under its umbrella, they have been offering the Music Together program, which this year they have expanded to Eaglestone Lodge.
“The residents enjoy spending time with us and seeing the kids,” Darren Kitsch said of the program.
In nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and senior residences across the country, people of all ages come together to sing, dance, shake shakers, and swing scarves during weekly Music Together intergenerational classes, says information on the program. “Here, babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their grownups foster new and important relationships with the grandmas and grandpas.
“The sessions are also greatly enjoyed by the seniors and staff, who look forward to the children's lively visits, the chance to share memories, and the sheer fun of these playful music-making experiences,” the information said.
“We all know that music is good for us, no matter how young or old we are,” said Kenneth K. Guilmartin, founder and director of Music Together. “Throughout our lives, music stimulates us socially, physically, cognitively and emotionally and promotes language, concentration, social skills, confidence and self-esteem.
“Research suggests just how profound and lifelong the benefits of music are,” Guilmartin said. “During our earliest years, active engagement with music promotes brain development and naturally supports growth in many areas essential to life and learning.
“Beyond the benefits for the individual, music is one of the most powerful tools we have for creating bonds and connections across generations, whether you sing and dance with your own elderly relatives or join what we at Music Together call an intergenerational music class,” he said. “Intergenerational music making is a win-win on multiple levels. Music classes bring many seniors back to a time when music was an integral part of their lives. Sharing memories of meeting up with friends at the local dance hall or singing in a church choir delights the residents and brings joy to the parents as well.”
Benefits of elders and young children making music together are many, the information said. Singing engages the whole brain, really does make one happy and it does a body good. Singing together equals meaningful connections and singing creates memories, old and new.
For many senior participants, “music with the babies” is the highlight of the week. And, just as music-learning supports children’s development, it also greatly enhances the well-being of seniors, the information said. Whether they are ambulatory or in wheelchairs, elders in class are encouraged to play instruments, dance, wiggle, and (of course!) sing; activities that stimulate them socially, physically, cognitively, and emotionally.
Music Together’s song collections include traditional tunes familiar to many seniors, which is enjoyable for everyone, it says. Singing familiar songs is also incredibly beneficial for elders with any type of memory loss. Neuroscience researchers and music therapists have long studied the role that music plays in the health and aging experiences of seniors suffering from memory and thought-processing issues, particularly associated with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
“Music classes bring many residents back to a time when music was an integral part of their lives,” the information said. “Many elders love to tell stories of time spent playing in big bands, meeting up with friends at the local dance hall, or singing in a church choir. Sharing those memories with the parents and children delights the residents.”
