ELDERCARE ORGANIZATIONS

“As a hospice nurse I often care for those in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease – patients who have lost their ability to ambulate, communicate, and share emotions. I have found with the added art of the music therapist these patients have expressed emotion, shown improved memory recall, even engaged with rhythmic movement during her sessions. The music therapist continues to holistically enhance and improve these patients’ quality of life by touching both the mind and the body with the beauty of her music.”

“I love seeing the residents smile and sing along. It can make a resident’s bad day become good by just one song. Music therapy puts everyone in a happy mood.”

“Rachelle is awesome. There’s no one like her.”

“This was great for the older crowd – remembering old memories and combining songs with personal stories. My grandma was relaxed and in really good spirits.”

“I’m sold on you. This is exactly what they need. It’s what the surveyors are looking for.”

“The therapists at Soundscaping Source do a great job planning and preparing their music therapy sessions to engage people with a wide range of needs. In our homes, we have people with early stages of dementia and those who are very advanced. The music therapists are able to reach them all. We have thoroughly enjoyed having them and always look forward to music therapy days!”

“The best part was when [the music therapist and the client] sang together. He lit up – it was amazing! She knew songs that he knew. Really, I was just speechless with how well it went. I loved to see the change in him. It made his day and then some.”

“My more passive residents really seem to enjoy and put forth the efforts to participate. I think you are very, very patient and very, very understanding of my very special residents.”

From Victory in the Valley’s Kids Kamp:
“Thank you for sharing how to relax with music and the family drumming time with different instruments. My kids really enjoyed playing the different instruments.”

“What a fun and interesting way to use music.”

“Music is good for your soul. It really helps to relax our residents. They enjoy the music and learning to play the instruments.”

“The residents are engaged and enjoy being able to sing and dance.”

“The music therapist is great. She involves everyone in singing and playing instruments. I wish she could come more often!”

From Victory in the Valley’s Women’s Weekend:
“I loved your ‘Music is Medicine’ presentation at Camp Victory! It was so much fun to participate together with you and all the other women…Music really is medicine and brings such joy.”

“It was fun to watch how some ladies who could hardly move really got to moving with the music.”

“I always believe music is the best medicine for the soul!”

“Thank you, Rachelle, for your gift of music and your gentle spirit in sharing it!”

From Victory in the Valley’s Kids Kamp:
“As parents who find themselves in an all-consuming caregiver role, it is rewarding to learn about an activity that promotes an overall sense of well-being. The Family Drumming session was an inspirational connection, bringing the group together as well as encouraging individual participation.”

“Music therapy is a wonderful, absolutely wonderful, tool to engage, oxygenate, and raise the spirits of residents in all stages of health or illness.”

“Music therapy is able to touch a place of remembering, comfort and joy that few other modalities access. It is invaluable support for enhancing quality of life for patients.”

“The residents look forward to seeing her every two weeks. They already have songs picked out for her. I love the whole program.”

“The residents benefit from enjoying each other’s company. I like that you provide instruments for everyone.”

“Music reaches depths that other modalities cannot in the world of dementia. Music therapy not only allows our residents to express themselves, but also strengthens their abilities as they recall lyrics to a song or match rhythms. Rachelle does a wonderful job of making her groups inclusive – it’s our best-attended group – and the proof is in the smiles around the room!”

From Prairie View Food for Shepherd’s series:
What did you find most helpful in this presentation?”

“It was fun and relaxing to play.”

“Participation to reinforce concepts”

“Practice in breaking down the ‘self-consciousness’ barriers”

“Understanding in a conscious way things I know is a subconscious way”

“You call clients by their names. You encourage their participation and involvement. You play music appropriate for their ages. You offer a different theme each week. We like the use of scarves and musical instruments for our clients.”

“The music therapist is very sweet and gentle. Her kind spirit has a way of getting residents involved. This is a program that the residents look forward to weekly.”

“All of the participants rave about this program. They experience less alienation and more group acceptance. This is an activity that EVERYONE can and will choose to participate in.”

“The music and memories are wonderful for our residents. My favorite part is how she can engage residents with any ability.”

“I appreciate your dependability. You are always so prompt, reliable and prepared. I love that you bring all kinds of music to us. I enjoy the “theme-ing” of your program. Anytime you add a facet that allows the residents to put on their thinking caps, I see several of their faces light up.”

“Music therapy brightens everyone’s morning. All the residents are engaged and singing along.”

“You are very flexible. You get everyone to participate. You go to where they are.”

“Thank you again for coming yesterday. The residents had a wonderful time and you kept them so entertained and involved, I was amazed. Thank you for enriching the lives of my residents.”

“I love seeing you engage residents with music and seeing the smiles on their faces.”

“I love seeing residents get involved in the music and with musical instruments. I see bigger smiles. Some participants that normally can’t participate are now participating.”

“Your music puts a smile on our resident’s face. You bring her happiness and peace. Thank you for bringing joy to our resident. Come everyday :-)”

“The residents are able to participate by playing an instrument or singing a favorite song they remember. I love seeing the joy in their eyes and hearing the memories they can share with us.”

“The residents really enjoy their experience. It jogs their memory and encourages them to think.”

“Music therapy has been such an enriching experience for my patients. They haven’t been able to say enough about you and your care. Music touches a place in one’s soul and is so uplifting. What a beautiful gift you shared from the heart.”

“[Rachelle’s] ability as a Music Therapist is unsurpassed. I have personally witnessed nothing short of miracles with some of the Residents that no one else could reach.”

“My favorite part is seeing patients singing with instruments. They benefit from the movement and fun activity. Great music and lots of smiles – you brightened my day, too!”

“Rachelle is bright and intelligent and has a fun sense of humor…I found Rachelle to be extremely professional while presenting a very soft, soothing, and compassionate program. She was able to offer programming that merged elders of varied stages of dementia with non-dementia residents and have each and every one of them engaged in the moment.”

“I have known patients who have lost most of their ability to communicate. By using music therapy they are offered an opportunity for connection and to express their emotions. During end of life this can be an invaluable tool for closure and reducing anxiety.”