How music is being used to improve the lives of Islanders with dementia

A new programhas started at public libraries on Prince Edward Island, loaning outMP3 playersloaded with personalized playliststo Islanders living with dementia or other cognitive or physical conditions.

The goal is to improve their quality of life. Music, especially music that is familiar to patients,has been shown to stimulate brain activity in those with dementia.

"It's very exciting, it's a program that has had a lot of success in other parts of Canada and the United States," said Grace Dawson, a regional librarian with the P.E.I. Public Library Service.

"[It] really does make a positive impact on the lives of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's and other cognitive conditions, and it reallycan improve their quality of life. So we're happy that we're able to offer the service and we hope it'll help lots of Islanders."

Music and Memory is a non-profit groupwith which the library service is partnering on the project.

'Treasure hunt'

Caregivers, family members or institutionscan apply for the program, andthe library has already received oneapplicationfrom a community care facility for itsresidents.

The library service has 100 players available, which can be borrowed for up to six weeks.

Librarians will load songs caregivers say are familiar to the borrower.

"It's a little bit like a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt," said Dawson, adding the vintage tunes remindher of music her own grandparents would play.

Fundinghas come from several different community groups, including the Rotary Club in Montague, shesaid.

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