BE A PART OF AN AMAZING ORGANIZATION BUILT ON SERVICE, MUSIC, AND FUN!

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The Dementia Project at a Glance

A BIT OF BACKGROUND

We are a service organization dedicated to teaching others about the truths of Dementia through experience and education. By using music to temporarily offset some of the side effects of Dementia, students become aware of the negative effects Dementia makes on patients while also developing a deeper understanding of the disease. Through a first-hand experience, students are able to understand the necessity of spreading awareness and advocating further research. The Dementia Project calls for an open mind to understand the disease, an open heart to connect with the residents, and a great passion to make strides going forward.

Through the use of small percussion instruments, residents experience a hands-on level of interaction and have fun.

THE PROJECT

Our goals

We have found that our project really falls into three main categories.
1. Education
On the educational side of things, we hope to inform kids our age of the disease. While people this young do not have the disease itself, they are likely to know of a family member who does, and later in life the disease is a real possibility. The sixth leading cause of death in the United States, dementia is only becoming more relevant, and in order for us to work in the best manner with the patients, a deep understanding of the disease's intricacies is necessary.
2. Music
Through music, we bring light to the darkness of dementia. Dementia patients see their brains slowly deteriorate overtime, but music is actually seen to slow down this process by re-activating these brain cells. Residents oftentimes pick up on the tune and sing, and if given an instrument, they are even seen to be some great musicians themselves. Playing for residents at memory care homes is one of our main priorities, and through the music section, we hope you can get involved.
3. Memories
Another main focus of ours is keeping alive the stories of the dementia patients, though they themselves may forget. As the memory of dementia patients slowly fades, they are seen to recall some things of their past that have laid buried for decades. These stories not only keep the memory of the person alive, but they are fascinating to hear. By recording these memories and sharing them, we are in essence, "remembering so that they may forget."