Friendly Senior Living is very pleased to announce that its Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) program has been named a winner of the Innovation of the Year Award by LeadingAge New York. This award is presented annually in recognition of programs which demonstrate vision and creativity, thereby promoting quality care and services to the elderly.
This unique and innovative program, funded by the generosity of several music enthusiast donors, offers research-based techniques customized for individuals living with neurologic diseases or dysfunctions. Working with Sam Snyder, Friendly Senior Living’s certified Neurologic Music Therapist, residents have experienced significant improvements in physical, cognitive and speech functions. Sam works closely with Physical, Occupational and Speech therapists, as well as the Nursing and Social Work teams, to achieve amazing results. For example, people who have suffered a stroke have learned to speak more clearly through singing, and have regained the use of their limbs by playing instruments. Residents with Parkinson’s disease have learned to use rhythm and melody to overcome physical symptoms of their movement disorder. NMT has also helped to reduce agitation and promote emotional and social well-being in people with Alzheimer’s. According to Snyder, “The goal is for NMT to be part of the standard of care offered at all stages of the aging journey so that residents can maintain their independence and wellness for as long as possible.”
Glen Cooper, President & CEO, says, “We are very proud to have been the first in our area to offer this unique program in our senior living communities. NMT signals a paradigm shift in the way music therapy is provided. As engaged partners in their NMT sessions, residents have another opportunity to actively participate in person-directed care and services.”
A Friendly Senior Living resident with Parkinson’s describes her experience: “Working with Sam, I have learned to ‘trick’ my brain with the help of music. Using musical cues, I am now able to independently get myself unfrozen from certain positions. I am much more confident about what I can do, and not worried anymore about what I can’t.”
About Friendly Senior Living
The Friendly Senior Living continuum of caring communities includes Cloverwood, an active independent senior living community in Pittsford; Glenmere at Cloverwood, which offers assisted living, enhanced assisted living, and memory care; Linden Knoll, an independent senior living apartment community in Brighton; the Lovejoy Transitional Care Center which offers short-term rehabilitative care at the Friendly Home; and the Friendly Home, a skilled nursing home in Brighton offering 24-hour care, rehabilitation, memory care and hospice care. For more information, visit friendlyseniorliving.org.
About LeadingAge New York
Founded in 1961, LeadingAge New York represents not-for-profit, mission-driven and public continuing care providers, including nursing homes, senior housing, adult care facilities, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and community service providers. Leading Age New York’s more than 600 members employ 150,000 professionals serving more than 500,000 New Yorkers annually.
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