After 30 years working in a nursing home, Iris Anderson saw how well elderly people connected to music.
That inspired the Brandon nurse to create musical recreation that could be appreciated by seniors, people with dementia and the lonely. She now has a business selling music tapes, CDs and songbooks.
“You can never convince me that someone has fully lost their mind,” she said. “Maybe they can’t respond appropriately, but they feel.”
Happy memories
At the care home, she noticed how music helped with the residents’ emotions. When their favourite song was played, she could see tears on the faces of people who, due to stroke or Alzheimers, could no longer speak.
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Anderson is using the music business as her retirement project. Her tapes include religious hymns, Christmas carols, old-time favourites and music for exercise. The tapes are instrumental, mainly organ music, which Anderson said would be useful for rural church congregations that can’t afford the equipment.
While it’s not quite karaoke for the senior set, Anderson said her music offers families closeness via singalongs.
“It’s rewarding for me, too. You don’t see people crying and singing at the same time.”
