The elderly woman was crying when Ruth Langevin arrived for their session. It wasn乌鸦传媒檛 clear why she was upset, so Langevin held her hand for a time until she gathered herself.

Langevin was scheduled to work with the Nelson Jubilee Manor resident on turning her poems into songs, which they乌鸦传媒檇 done before as gifts for other residents. The woman took piano lessons in her youth and could explain to Langevin how she thought the song might be played.

As they spoke, the woman remembered how her piano teacher used to reward her for playing well with a rendition of by Norwegian composer Christian Sinding.

Langevin didn乌鸦传媒檛 know the song, but she had a music app on her phone. It only took a moment to find and play 乌鸦传媒淩ustle of Spring.乌鸦传媒�

乌鸦传媒淪he just sat back, she closed her eyes and she cried,乌鸦传媒� said Langevin. 乌鸦传媒淎nd she said, 乌鸦传媒業 have not heard that piece in 60 years.乌鸦传媒櫸谘淮�媒�

This is the comfort Langevin, a music therapist with over 30 years of experience, has provided during the pandemic in local seniors facilities where families are restricted from visiting and recreation options are limited.

Music therapists, who are considered an essential service, are among the few visitors allowed in B.C. seniors facilities. Langevin乌鸦传媒檚 activities with residents include group classes where she can be a performer, composer and cheerleader all at once.

There乌鸦传媒檚 nothing passive about her classes. Instead, she encourages her participants to sing, to use rhythmic instruments like chimes, to clap and move as best they can.

The classes are a part of Nancy Mackay乌鸦传媒檚 routine at Mountain Lake Seniors Community in Nelson.

Mackay has two children living nearby who she hasn乌鸦传媒檛 been able to visit with during the pandemic. But she says her year has been OK, in part because of Langevin乌鸦传媒檚 classes which Mackay says accommodate residents who never learned how to play an instrument.

乌鸦传媒淭hey still have music in their heads, even if they haven乌鸦传媒檛 learned any instrument,乌鸦传媒� she says. 乌鸦传媒淚 think they still have tunes going on through their heads.乌鸦传媒�

Jean Broster, another resident at Mountain Lake, is one of Langevin乌鸦传媒檚 regulars with no music background.

But for her, music is a time travel machine. In her room she keeps cassette tapes she used to play on Saturdays at home when her daughters were still growing up.

乌鸦传媒淚 look today at my big container sitting there with all the tapes and think of all the good times we had over 50 years.乌鸦传媒�

Many of Langevin乌鸦传媒檚 seniors are in various stages of dementia. But music still speaks to them, in sometimes surprising ways. Langevin says even participants with advanced dementia can still songs verbatim.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 in their long-term memory, whereas they won乌鸦传媒檛 know what day it is or their phone number or whatever, but they do remember things from their youth,乌鸦传媒� says Langevin.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors facilities had many more options for activities.

Rose Anderson, the recreation co-ordinator at Nelson Jubilee Manor, says she used to rely on volunteers to entertain residents. That might mean trips into the city, coffee dates, calling a game of bingo or even bringing in bands to play.

乌鸦传媒淭hen COVID hit, and all that stopped,乌鸦传媒� says Anderson. 乌鸦传媒淎nd all that we have left is music therapy, which has been like a godsend.乌鸦传媒�

Langevin乌鸦传媒檚 work is funded by the Friends of Nelson Elders in Care through the Osprey Community Foundation.

George Millar, president of Friends of Nelson Elders in Care, says studies have shown the benefits of music therapy to the mental health of residents.

乌鸦传媒淓lderly people who don乌鸦传媒檛 really seem to show any alertness even about the general situation going on around them will perk up and pay attention and even get involved some when there乌鸦传媒檚 music happening.乌鸦传媒�

Anderson has also seen it first hand. Residents whose cognitive functions are impaired will sing along with Langevin, tap their toes and even move a little despite physical limitations.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 something that you kind of have to witness to see how wonderful it is,乌鸦传媒� says Anderson.

In a class, Langevin tries to make eye contact with residents and incorporate aspects of their past into her songs. If a person enjoys gardening, for example, Langevin will sing a song for the green thumbs.

And when it works, when a resident either sings along or just taps their foot, it乌鸦传媒檚 those small glimpses of life that reward Langevin.

乌鸦传媒淚 feel honoured to go because it乌鸦传媒檚 all about improving their quality of life and not letting them deteriorate because of loneliness or depression.乌鸦传媒�

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| tyler.harper@nelsonstar.com
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