SPOTSWOOD – The Spotswood High School Band Parents Association (SBPA) presented a donation of 15 iPods and $555 in iTunes gift cards to the Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System Community Living Center in Lyons to assist with the expansion of their Music and Memory Program.
The Music and Memory organization works with long-term care facilities to teach them how to create personalized playlists for their residents suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s and other chronic cognitive and physical impairments, according to a statement prepared by the SBPA. The facilities then use input from family members, staff and the music popular at the time these residents were growing up to choose songs that will resonate with the individual. Participants are able to converse, socialize and stay present.
This past school year, SBPA solicited the assistance of the Spotswood Recreation Department and the Spotswood Knight of Columbus Council 4907 to increase outreach in the community.
“On behalf of the SBPA, I’d like to extend sincere thanks to the Spotswood Knights of Columbus, Spotswood Recreation and to our community for their generous response to such a worthy cause,” said Donna Faulkenberry, president of the SBPA. “Our hope is that these donations can provide some peace and solace to veterans suffering from dementia as well as their caregivers. We also hope that we have helped raise awareness of the power of music as a treatment in these devastating diseases and encourage everyone to research and support the Music and Memory program. It is changing lives for the better.”