The Native American Outreach Program at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute recently released a CD with a compilation of music from various Native American artists. This project is in collaboration with Canyon Records and Sunshine Music Therapy, to help people in tribal communities who are living with some form of memory loss.
Music has been shown to be a powerful tool when it comes to helping dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Studies indicate music may help improve behavioral issues and can provide a way for patients to connect with others when they’re not able to verbally communicate.
Entitled “Walk with Me,” the CD launched by Banner Alzheimer’s Institute will be distributed in tribal communities where dementia and Alzheimer’s outreach can be challenging. Those involved in the project hope this music will help increase the quality of life for both the memory loss patient and their caregiver.
“With the ongoing and varied changes a person with dementia can experience as they progress, music can be used as a tool to connect, communicate, move, modify mood or even help with self-care,” said Heather Mulder, associate director of outreach services at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute.
Each of the songs on the CD were chosen with an outcome in mind. They reflect the Native American culture and may have been important throughout their lives of patients. Songs include “Winter Camp,” featuring artists R. Carlos Nakai on the flute and Cliff Sarde on keyboards, as well as “Road Less Traveled,” with Aaron White on guitar and Kelvin Bizahaloni on Native American flute.
“This CD is really the first of its kind, especially in the Native American community,” Mulder said. “We’re still in the process of distributing and will be partnering with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona so we can reach as many families as possible.”
For more information on how to obtain this CD, contact BAIFCS@bannerhealth.com. For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including strategies for caregivers, visit www.BannerAlz.org.
Since its inception in 2006, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute (BAI) has sought to find effective Alzheimer’s disease prevention therapies without losing another generation, establish a new model of dementia care for patients and family caregivers, and forge new models of collaboration in biomedical research. It has made groundbreaking contributions to the unusually early detection, tracking, diagnosis and study of Alzheimer’s, and aims to find an effective prevention therapy by 2025. It includes the pioneering Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative (API), an extensive profile of research studies and clinical trials, comprehensive clinical, family and community service programs, a leading brain imaging research program, and strategic partnerships with public and private research organizations around the world.
