One of our favorite programs, Songs by Heart, is back at The Kenwood—for good this time.
Last March, Songs by Heart’s artistic administrator Emily Becker brought the special program to our Memory Care residents from Chicago. Emily’s grandmother is an Independent Living resident at The Kenwood, and Emily had hoped she could share Songs by Heart with her for Mother’s Day. Our residents absolutely loved it.
Now, Songs by Heart has expanded to Cincinnati, where The Kenwood will lead as its first program in the area.
Songs by Heart brings quality performers in to lead engagement-centered music programs, merging music therapy and performance. The goal of the program is to use the music that residents might be familiar with or remember from their childhoods to encourage them to engage with the world around them.
The nonprofit organization was founded to benefit those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. According to studies done in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, when used appropriately, music can shift mood, manage stress-induced agitation, stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function and coordinate motor movements.
“There’s are moments in each session, with different individuals, where you really see a light come on,” said Songs by Heart local Cincinnati singer, Clare Hingsbergen, of the program’s positive impact. “Someone who’s sleeping and wakes up to the music and all of a sudden, they’re singing and putting their arms out; sometimes people will stand up to dance and people smile. It’s very rewarding to see.”
Since 2015, Songs by Heart has expanded to reach over 30 memory care communities across the country. It officially starts at The Kenwood in July, after it received an anonymous grant to increase programming for the first 12 weeks at our community. Its biweekly schedule will begin September 17 at The Kenwood.
Songs by Heart is a nonprofit organization that accepts donations. To learn more, visit its website. If you or a loved one is interested in participating in the program at The Kenwood, call (513) 666-5099.