Remember Thru Music is a Community based, No cost, public program focused upon improving the lives of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia through providing Personalized MP3 Music Players to those eligible individuals who apply.
Jen McGeehan launched Remember thru Music after being inspired watching the incredible documentary, “Alive Inside” and learning about the wonderful national organization created by Dan Cohen called “Music & Memory”. After doing some research, Jen realized there was no such program in Hawaii to fill this growing need.
Remember thru Music was founded in 2016, (originally called iPods For the Elderly).
Over 125 iPods and MP3 music players have been distributed free of charge to recipients throughout the state of Hawaii and the mainland.
Extensive research has shown that language & visual memory pathways are damaged early on as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia progress, but personalized music programs can help activate and calm the brain, especially for patients who are losing contact with their environment. Music from a person’s life can open the door to past memories when little else can, it can also ease anxiety and help recipients and their caregivers manage stress. Listening to music encourages and coordinates muscle movement. Music brings joy and can be a lifeline for people living with Alzheimer’s/dementia.