Most people would agree that the holiday season wouldn’t be complete without our favorite holiday music. This year, a group of Helmer Scientific musicians took their talents on the road to entertain the guests at Joy’s House, an adult day care facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Eight singers, a pianist, and a guitarist traveled to Joy’s House to spread cheer with a holiday sing-a-long for the guests.
Helmer and Joy’s House have a long history of charitable partnerships, but this project was unique. The joy that the holiday music brought to the guests touched the hearts of the Helmer group deeply, but they didn’t know the depth of the impact until they received the following story from Laura Weiger, Community Engagement Manager at Joy’s House:
It’s easy to overlook the impact that music can have on people…until you witness a moment that is simply undeniable and, quite frankly, miraculous. Christmas carols can breathe new life into all of us. In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Christmas carols allow us to reflect on our earliest memories of the Christmas season, when Christmas was more about connecting with those we love and less about the obligations that can overwhelm us.
Maybe this is why Miss Julie, a Guest at Joy’s House who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease and has had a recent decline causing her to be less verbal and expressive, was able to sing along when the Helmer group came to Christmas carol. Miss Julie started off very stoic, but by the third or fourth song, she was smiling and singing. It brought tears of joy to the eyes of the caregiving staff that have grown to love her. From afar, this Christmas caroling was simply a heartwarming moment, but to us, it was witnessing a true Christmas miracle.
Thank you again To Helmer Scientific for your generous grant. Your funds helped us plan extraordinary activities like this one and the everyday activities that provide safety, care and engagement for all of our Guests.
Music has been shown to have the ability to help organize the brain, which is especially vital to those afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Results of music therapy sessions have lasted for several hours afterward. The stimulation the brain receives is like a “cognitive workout”. The power of music often inspires physical movement and allows communication by those who have otherwise lost the ability to communicate.
The soothing power of music is well-established. It is a unique link to our emotions, and is an extremely effective stress management tool. It acts as a distraction, and at the same time helps to explore emotions. Music is primal to life and expressed by each of us every day. It is central to our lives and embedded in our culture.
What seemed like a simple act of holiday cheer, a caroling sing-a-long, was really so much more. Never underestimate how an act of kindness can make someone else’s day. It may make you feel good, but it may be a true miracle for the recipient. And for Miss Julie it was.
This video produced for the Super Service Challenge shows just how much fun everyone had.
