Bev Foster will present on “The power of music to make meaningful changes in health and well-being”
Room 217 promotes music use in health care
Duncan McLaren introduced guest speaker Bev Foster, the Executive Director of Room 217 Foundation, who was appearing via Zoom from her home in Port Perry. Bev is an experienced performer, song writer and music director who founded Room 217 with her husband Rob in 2009. The Foundation is dedicated to music and care.
Bev explained the background for the foundation as she and other family members gathered around her dying father in room 217 of the Uxbridge Cottage Hospital and sang his favourite songs and hymns. They noticed how the music comforted and strengthened him as he tried to sing along.
She said that music is an innate window to our souls and has been proven to bring about meaningful changes when introduced into caregiving. She added that music improves memory, preserves identity and works through several neuropathic paths in the brain.
She used two different videos to illustrate the impact of music. In one an elderly woman with advanced dementia had lost the ability to speak but a validation specialist was able to get beyond her disabilities by using familiar music and close physical contact. The second video illustrated how music and rhythm helped a man who had suffered spinal injuries in a cycling accident improve his balance and coordination in relearning how to walk.
Bev explained that music helps complete relationships, it keeps us moving and it helps us engage by singing a meaningful song or by using soundscapes creating music with ordinary household utensils.
The organization offers eight core programs to provide information and training and you can check out those programs and read much more about the foundation at https://www.musiccare.org. Those core programs include conferences, training, virtual learning, speakers, skills day, resources, and master class.
During a question-and-answer session, Bev said the foundation has been set up as a charitable organization so that it can receive donations.
John Senn thanked Bev for her address and advised that a contribution will be made to her organization as a token of appreciation.
