Inverness’ Music in Medicine Awarded Grant to Support Music Therapy Program for Floridians Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease

Grant Awarded by Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Will Support Training Program for Therapeutic Music

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) has awarded grant funding to Music in Medicine, in Inverness, to help fund their training program for therapeutic musicians, who visit care settings throughout Citrus County to deliver music therapy performances to individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease.  

Adele Jacobson, President of Music in Medicine, said, “The boost we have received from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has enabled us to make therapeutic music in Citrus County a reality. With AFA’s help, we are developing a pool of trained musicians who will bring the healing power of music to people living with dementia or other critical or chronic medical conditions. AFA’s help has been invaluable.”

“Community-based programs which provide vital services to families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses are critically important as the prevalence of Alzheimer’s continues to grow,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and chief executive officer.  “We are proud to support Music in Medicine in delivering much needed services to families in Citrus County and the surrounding areas affected by Alzheimer’s disease.”   

Music in Medicine delivers live music therapy programs in Citrus County.  Music therapy offers many health benefits and is geared toward helping those in need of comforting and healing.  According to Music in Medicine, music therapy can aid with memory and cognitive stimulation among individuals with dementia, reduce anxiety and pain, and stabilize breathing or heart rates.

Image by ml991 from Pixabay

This $5,000 grant will support their Music Therapy Training program.  Music in Medicine recruits local musicians to become music therapy performers, providing them with mentoring and free accredited training through the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians.  Once certified, the musicians are asked to play twice a week in an assisted living facility, hospital, hospice, skilled nursing facility or memory care unit.

AFA is able to provide vital services, like this grant, as a result of the generosity of individual contributions, sponsorships and fundraising activities. To help support these initiatives or learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and resources available to help families affected by it, visit www.alzfdn.org or call AFA’s Helpline at 866-232-8484.

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