Villa Begins Music Therapy Program

With a jingle of bells, shaking of tambourines and rap-tap of drums, residents of Villa St. Joseph are making music with their hands and hearts.

Participants in the Villa’s newly established Music Therapy Program — specifically designed to stimulate memory and improve mood — are delighting in new connections formed with each other, with family members and with caregivers.

Villa St. Joseph became the first long-term care facility in Beaver County to implement a Music Therapy Program directed by a full-time, certified music therapist this Fall. The program was funded by a generous $75,000 start-up grant from the Staunton Farm Foundation, as well as donations from individuals.

The grant proposal and program initiative was a collaborative effort by Sister Donna Marie Beck, Director and Chair of the Music Therapy Program at Duquesne University, and Ray Niedenberger, Director of Development at Villa St. Joseph.

"Music therapy is doing fun things that keep the motivation and spirits up," Sister Donna Marie explained.

Brigette Sutton, a 2004 graduate of Duquesne's music therapy program, serves as director of the program. In the future, Villa St. Joseph hopes to have interns from Duquesne University to assist in developing additional musical activities for residents and groups that integrate various departments.

"It takes time to develop a relationship with the residents," Brigette said. "We are singing songs, playing percussion instruments, and we just started a new bell choir."

The goal of the Music Therapy Program is to significantly improve and enhance the quality of life for residents by decreasing symptoms of depression that often accompany placement in nursing care facilities.

"It gets them reminiscing — sharing memories to stimulate cognitive functioning and social interaction," Brigette added.

Family members are encouraged to attend therapy sessions with their loved ones. Research has shown that music therapy programs help to:

Reduce anxiety, stress and depression among residents

Increase social interaction

Promote positive changes in the mood and outlook of residents

Promote recall of fond memories, people and events in residents’ lives

The music therapy program is a reflection of the mission of Villa St. Joseph to provide competent and compassionate care that meets the individual physical, emotional and spiritual needs of each resident.

Music Therapy is offered daily for both short- and long-term residents.

©2008 Sisters of St Joseph - Baden
Villa St. Joseph
1030 State Street, Baden PA 15005
724.869.6300 | Fax: 724.869.6399
Feedback, questions and comments are welcomed at csjprbah@stargate.net