The Catskill Chronicle

LIBERTY, NY (July 12, 2015) – The Sullivan County Adult Care Center (SCACC) is pleased to announce that the Beaverkill Foundation, Inc. has graciously awarded them $5,000 to help implement and enhance the Music and Memory program.

The Music and Memory Program assists residents of the Memory Care Unit and residents struggling with cognitive loss.

The Program provides an i-Pod for each resident of these units. With input from family members, individualized playlists are set up for each resident to use several times a week. Implementing the project addresses the need for more activity for the residents, while helping some of these residents to be more alert and engaged.

The Music & Memory Program has shown success in reaching and engaging individuals who are suffering from dementia by producing music-triggered memories. The program serves not only those struggling with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, but those who may have other cognitive and physical challenges (i.e. – post stroke resident, rehabilitation, etc.). SCACC seeks to expand the program in the future to include other residents outside the Memory Care unit.

“The Music & Memory Program gives our Adult Care Center patients who struggle with dementia a renewed connection in their lives through music, and allows for our patients to tap deep memories which allow them to feel like themselves again,” said Cindy Kurpil Gieger, District 5 Legislator, Chair of the Health and Family Services Committee.

To see the kind of effect that the music therapy program has on individuals with dementia, you can watch a heartwarming video on YouTube called Alive Inside that shows individuals directly experiencing this music therapy program www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaB5Egej0TQ.

"As music in all forms has extraordinary healing potential, the ‘Music and Memory’ program is a powerful tool in treating the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s for our residents at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center. The donation by the Beaverkill Foundation of $5000 to expand and enhance this very special program is a most welcome gift and we could not be more grateful for the Foundation’s generosity,” said Scott Samuelson, Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature.

“I would like to thank the Beaverkill Foundation, Inc. for awarding these funds to our Adult Care Center for such an inspirational program. Also, I would like to personally thank our staff at the Adult Care Center and Grants Administration that helped make this grant possible for our residents,” said Joshua Potosek, Sullivan County Manager.