Songs & Smiles

Results: We've presented hundreds of singalongs at care facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as in Iowa and Wisconsin. Every time I sing, I see people come alive and connect with the music and with each other. I see smiles, laughter, tears, hands clapping, toes tapping, and people dancing. I see joy! Residents at memory care facilities often share with me how they connect with the songs. Mary told me the music made her remember when she was a little girl singing with her mother. Carol told me she knows all the songs because she played the piano while her husband sang. Norman introduces himself to me every week and tells me “all of the songs make me happy.” Pat told me: “You gave us a connection we haven’t had in so long.” A resident I know only as “Mr. Chow” never sings or talks, but he always gets up to dance. The facility where he lives invited his wife to visit during a singalong. I’ll always remember how she danced with him. She had tears in her eyes when she told me: “He remembers the music!” Caregivers across the country visit our website looking for answers. That’s why we’ve written articles such as “Basic Info About Alzheimer’s and Dementia” and “Not-So-Obvious Dementia Care Tips.” That’s also why we started providing books and DVDs free to dementia caregivers. We've sent free resources to caregivers all across the country. In 2022, we started publishing Joyful Memories, a magazine designed for people living with dementia. We distribute them at local care facilities, and we offer the magazine for sale on our website. An at-home caregiver in Kentucky recently wrote us: "You all do a wonderful job on the magazine. Pictures and content are perfect! My granddaughter, who is 8 years old, loves reading the magazine to my mother.”

Target demographics: people living with dementia and the families loving and caring for them

Direct beneficiaries per year: hundreds of residents at local memory care facilities, plus many more online.

Geographic areas served: the Dallas-Fort Worth area in person, and nationally online

Programs: singalong shows, free resources for caregivers, and a dementia-friendly magazine.