Students Ben VanderMere and Caroline Retter from Dr. Jerri Faris’ Com 320 course spoke to us about their experiences with Music and Memory at Signature Healthcare in Lafayette. 
The Music and Memory program was created by Dan Cohen in New York City as a way of helping the elderly express themselves and recall events from the past by listening to music especially meaningful to them. 
His work was documented in the movie “Alive Inside” which received many awards. The students showed us a portion of this documentary. In it, an elderly woman declares that she does not remember any childhood events. However, after listening to some music from that time period, she recalls specific events and dates. The Purdue students go on a weekly basis to Signature and are helping twelve residents with this program. Using iPods, they create a playlist specifically for each person and update it regularly. The residents enjoy listening and the music brings to mind memories of their childhoods. Peggy Mims, chaplain at Signature, was present at our meeting and shared that this program has helped residents with their depression and has even led to a decrease in need for medication. Ben and Caroline related that this experience has been not only a learning experience but a meaningful, life-changing part of their Purdue education.
VISITING ROTARIANS:
MIKE GUNDERSON and MATT SALBERY from Lafayette Daybreak Club. They invited all of us to come to the Toast to Mental Health on May 4th from 6-9 at The Trails. The event benefits Willowstone, NAMI and MHA.
Go to: http://wedoauctions.net/daybreakrotary for information.
GUESTS:
Mark Russell, guest of JIM TURLEY; Jim Dimitroff, guest of BECKY ROBLEDO; Becky Hershey, guest of MIKE PIGGOTT and Peggy Mimis of Signature Health Care, guest of RENEE FIGUEROA.