SIU Med School is seeking new or used iPods to benefit dementia patients!
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is in search of new or used iPods and chargers to help enrich the lives of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
Those who live with Alzheimer’s disease may benefit from a program known as Music and Memory, which advocates for the use of personalized, digital playlists to trigger pleasant memories in dementia patients. According to researchers at Music and Memory, dementia patients who listen to their own customized playlists are happier, more engaged and attentive and less agitated and reliant on medications.
Maggie Schaver, who works at SIU’s Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, helped introduce Music and Memory to a local elder care facility nearly two years ago. “The Music and Memory program at Mill Creek has been very rewarding. After being introduced to their iPods, we saw people who were withdrawn talk freely about memories associated with their music; we saw inactive people get up and dance; and we saw people who were sad, even crying, look up and smile –smile a lot! The impact for residents has been so positive that Mill Creek management has expanded the program to their locations in other cities.”
Now, Schaver has established a program for SIU Memory and Aging Clinic patients and is hoping to spark interest in establishing similar programs at other central Illinois nursing homes and assisted living homes.. “Currently we are matching donated iPods with persons who have been diagnosed with a memory loss disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease. We assist families by educating them on how to set up a personalized playlist for each person and introducing the iPod to the person with memory loss. In many cases we actually set up the iPod for them, as some people do not have access to the technology. We also work to inform area nursing homes and assisted living centers about this simple but effective approach to improving quality of life for their residents. ”
Specifically, the Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders is seeking:
- iPods, new or used. (Post 2009 iPod Shuffles are best, but nearly any working iPod will do)
- Accompanying chargers
- Monetary gifts to assist with the purchase of headphones and/or new iPods
- iTunes gift cards
(Note: Ear-buds are not needed.)
Please mail or deliver iPods and other donations to Maggie Schaver, SIU-SM Center for Alzheimer’s Disease, SIU Clinic’s Building , 751 N. Rutledge, Room 3500, in Springfield, 62703. For more information, contact Schaver at 217-545-7193 or by email at mschaver@siumed.edu. For more information on the benefits of personalized music for dementia, visit musicandmemory.org.