Recently students from Dighton Rehoboth Regional High School partnered with Tockwotton on the Waterfront, an assisted living, memory care and nursing community. The students initiated a classroom community Music and Memory drive to benefit nursing and memory care residents.

The Music and Memory Program enhances the lives of elders through personalized playlists loaded onto individual iPods so the resident can connect and reminisce with the music they love with the goal of improving their overall health, well being, and quality of life.

The part of the brain that possesses music and memory is the last part of the brain to be affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, which is why people may not remember what happened in the last hour, but can recall the words from their favorite songs from their childhood and younger adult years.  Playing individualized, familiar music has sparked positive emotional memories from these songs. 

Listening to music often results in a decrease in agitation, anxiety, sleeplessness and depression, which can greatly improve the quality of life and bring joy to individuals who are challenged with a wide range of physical and cognitive impairments. 

The Music and Memory Program at Tockwotton is funded by donations at no cost to the resident or their families. Cost per individual for the program is approximately $80.

To our utter delight, the high school students, along with their teacher, Mr. Kevin Hurley, collected 10 used iPods, 20 new headphones and $700 in iTunes gift cards through the drive.  

Three students and Mr. Hurley presented the donations to Tockwotton on the Waterfront on Jan. 19.

It is with extreme gratitude that the students of Dighton chose Tockwotton as the benefactor for this very special program. We are currently offering 18 residents the Music and Memory Program and have plans for the future to offer the program to many more elders thanks to the generous donations from the drive.