Many articles have been written about the importance of live music for seniors. The benefits are numerous, including improved mood and emotional well-being, as well as fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Each month the activities calendars at Branchlands Senior Living are brimming with opportunities for our residents to listen to and sing along with live music. Weekly happy hours bring a variety of live performers to our residents, and there is even a monthly hymn sing-along. No need to travel to hear great live music that will delight seniors, because here at Branchlands the music comes to you.
Music Builds Community
At Branchlands, we bring residents together to listen to live music from a variety of local performers every month. Whether it’s the fall festival with a local artist playing pop and country classics on guitar or a full band performing jazz standards during one of our many happy hours, talented musicians are eager to entertain residents. Some months, we invite a dozen or more different groups or performers featuring all kinds of instruments—the stand-up bass is always a crowd-pleaser here.
Matthew O’Donnell – Folksy Irish Singalongs
One community favorite is Matthew O’Donnell, who specializes in traditional Celtic folk music. With little formal training, Matthew learned to play thousands of songs and a wide array of instruments, including everything from the accordion and the tin whistle to the bodhran drum—often all at the same performance.
“At Branchlands, I mostly perform a mix of folk, country, and pop songs, as well as my specialty, traditional Irish songs and tunes,” says Matthew. “I always include some numbers that are appropriate to the season and focus on songs everyone can sing along to. A few favorite requests I often get at the community are ‘Danny Boy,’ ‘Ashokan Farewell,’ and ‘Country Roads.’”
Providing live music for seniors is a special talent that not everyone possesses. Matthew understands his audience and knows the songs they like to hear.
“I love getting to share music with folks who appreciate it as much as I do, who listen carefully, sing freely, and share what’s in their hearts and minds openly. I can’t name a place I’ve found more of all this than here at Branchlands. The warmth, humor, and kindness of everyone has made me feel so at home, I often forget I’m working when I come to perform. I can honestly say, this community is one of my favorite places I get to play as a musician.”
– Matthew O’Donnell, musician
Matthew performs regularly at various locations around the Charlottesville area. You may even see him while you are strolling on Charlottesville’s historic downtown mall.
Fritz Horisk – Classic Radio Hits
Another performer popular with the residents is Fritz Horisk. Fritz is a guitarist who has spent his life surrounded by music. In addition to being a performer, he worked in radio and television for most of his career. Describing his style as vintage pop, Fritz plays songs on his acoustic guitar from the 1920s to the 1970s, covering artists like Irving Berlin and Bob Dylan.
Fritz started playing senior living communities in the 1980s when he noticed a need and has no plans to retire from playing anytime soon. He enjoys playing live music at Branchlands and says he especially appreciates the people he meets.
“The residents at Branchlands are very sharp people. They are not shy about interacting with me. They ask questions and laugh at my bad jokes (even when I tell the same ones). They make me feel welcome. I broke my ankle a few years ago and had to take a few months off. When I returned, Branchlands residents and staff treated me as their own. That made me feel great.”
– Fritz Horisk, musician
We Bring the Music – Volunteer Performances from Local Talent
Musical groups are especially popular at Branchlands and thanks to We Bring the Music, a nonprofit in Charlottesville, they perform here regularly. We Bring the Music consists of local amateur and professional musicians and singers who perform at area nursing homes and senior living communities. Founded over 20 years ago by the late Bob and Jackie Hostage, the intent was to reach people who may not be able to get out and attend live shows.
“Senior audiences are especially wonderful, as they’re often less afraid to participate or to show their enthusiasm,” says Mary Beth Revak, chair of the volunteer board of We Bring the Music. “And we know that music has the potential to evoke good memories and stimulate interactions. Our performers often stick around after the music to talk with audience members, which is a treat for all involved.”
One of the musicians who performed at Branchlands recently, Joe Tucker, says he had a wonderful time. “It was the best yet! I estimate 35 to 40 residents were there the entire hour. It was a lively cheerful group. It was gratifying to experience the enthusiasm and the participation in the singalong!”
Music Serves as Therapy
There are many health benefits of live music for seniors, such as lowering blood pressure and improving memory. Music can serve as therapy in both an official and unofficial capacity.
For residents with particular needs, Linden House Assisted Living at Branchlands offers music therapy once a week with Board Certified Music Therapist Lindsay Taylor. “Music therapy is an alternative therapy program that uses music to address nonmusical goals like language, social skills, cognitive processing, and memory. Music stimulates the brain, unlike any other type of sensory input,” says Lindsay, who owns and operates The Music in Me.
Lindsay decided to pursue music therapy after witnessing the effect music had on her grandfather, who lived with Alzheimer’s. The last skill he retained was the ability to sing. While at Linden House, Lindsay works with residents on their music skills and discusses music history with them. They discuss a wide variety of songs, from Indigenous and Renaissance music to the ever-popular Elvis.
A lot of discussions surround memories. “I will use everything from popular songs from the 1930s and 1940s to rock and roll from the 1970s and 1980s. If they don’t seem interested in a song, I will change it,” says Lindsay. And the number one song request: “You are My Sunshine.” Older music often brings back childhood memories that residents share with each other, and newer music reminds them of their young adulthood. The conversations can be lively.
When working with Memory Care residents, the effects can be more subtle. “I look for subconscious responses in Memory Care, like tapping your toe, maintaining eye contact, singing, or humming,” says Lindsay. “That says to me that the brain was stimulated. Any opportunity we can use to cultivate that use of memory I will. Evoking memories can slow down the decline of your brain.”
Music therapy offers similar benefits to other types of therapy. Unlike other types, though, many residents don’t even realize they are doing therapy because they are having so much fun.
Music Benefits Everyone
But you don’t have to participate in a music therapy session or listen to live music for benefits, according to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. Nearly all older adults (98 percent) polled reported they get some health-related benefit from listening to music, including:
- Stress relief and relaxation (75 percent)
- Joy (73 percent)
- Improves mental health, mood, or attitude (65 percent)
- Sparks memories or helps recall life events (61 percent)
- Motivates or energizes (60 percent)
- Helps them feel a spiritual or religious connection (36 percent)
- Keeps the mind sharp (31 percent)
- Connects them with others (27 percent)
- Reduces pain (7 percent)
The poll also found that only 41% of older adults listened to live performances during the year.
At Branchlands, live music performances for residents happen several times a week. Branchlands offers a place for seniors to gather with fellow residents and enjoy their favorite live music just steps from their front door—just one of the many unique perks at this senior living community.
