Virtual Music Therapy Heals Pandemic Trauma for Homebound With Dementia
World-renowned Musician and humanitarian Samite Mulondo to deliver grant-funded music therapy to isolated elders with dementia in partnership with Missoula home care agency.
MISSOULA, Mont. – Under a grant from Musicians for World Harmony, the Harvest Wholeness Center (formerly Harvest Home Care) is partnering with musician and humanitarian Samite Mulondo to deliver virtual M.U.S.I.C.* Heals sessions to home care recipients living with dementia isolated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
No demographic has been harder hit by the global pandemic than older adults living with dementia in terms of COVID-19 fatalities and the severe health consequences of ongoing social isolation, depression and loneliness. Music is proven to reach parts of peoples' minds that help combat these issues and contribute to a more robust life.
“We have lost many people to COVID-19, and it has been a very difficult time for many,” said Samite, who lost his 94-year-old mother to COVID-19 in 2020. “Now more than ever, music is needed to help us reconnect, reengage and heal.”
Samite, a war refugee from Uganda and founder of Musicians for World Harmony (MFWH), is world-renowned as a musician, composer and humanitarian who uses the healing power of music engagement to rehabilitate child soldiers in Africa and to enrich the lives of older adults and persons living with dementia in the U.S. Samite starred in the Sundance award winning documentary Alive Inside, a Story of Music and Memory.
During the pandemic Samite collaborated with Harvest to adapt his M.U.S.I.C. Heals program for virtual delivery to homebound elders, caregivers and community partners. Under the MSFWH grant Samite will serve as Musician-in-Residence in the Harvest Wholeness Center’s Healing Music program and provide 12 months of private biweekly music engagement for up to four elders in Missoula.
The grant will support research and development of the virtual M.U.S.I.C. Heals program and benefits to participants. The goal is to build evidence that the healing power of interactive, live music and its potential to help participants with dementia to develop new memories and deepen relationships with others, can be achieved through the virtual program.
About Musicians For World Harmony
Founded in 2002 by Samite Mulondo, Musicians For World Harmony uses the healing power of music to reawaken the humanity in the hearts of displaced and distressed peoples affected by aging, disease and war in an effort to promote peace, understanding, health and harmony. Learn more at www.musiciansforworldharmony.org.
About Harvest Wholeness Center
Harvest is part of an exciting culture change movement that believes all humans can develop greater strength, purpose, and connection no matter their age or ability. Harvest provides guided psychedelic therapy and holistic mind-body services including massage, reiki and in-home care to help individuals, families and caregivers face the challenges of mortality with greater agency, purposefulness, love, connection, ease, happiness, spirit and consciousness. Learn more at www.DeathWithWholeness.Com.
