Traditions at North Willow in Indianapolis, Indiana, is using her voice to help fight Alzheimer’s

How Music Helps with Alzheimer's Disease

Mary Evans, Program Director at Traditions at North Willow in Indianapolis, Indiana, is using her voice to help fight Alzheimer’s. 

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and the city of Indianapolis is preparing for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on September 30. A musical fundraiser to raise money for this cause happened on August 23rd. Music to Remember, a fundraiser to help combat Alzheimer’s, at The Cat in Carmel, featured a special performance from Mary Evans, Program Director at Traditions at North Willow. Watch the performance here.

Mary facilitates all the activities that happen in independent living, assisted living, and memory care at Traditions at North Willow. As a long-time professional singer, Mary’s talents are a perfect fit for her role at Traditions. “When I moved into the role of program director, naturally, the first thing I did was sing for our residents. Right away, you can see the therapeutic benefits that music gives to residents and people with Alzheimer’s,” Mary said. 

Music can help individuals with Alzheimer’s make important connections to their pasts. “Music evokes memories and emotions, and it reaches pathways in the brain and brings them to the forefront and takes them back in time to when they were in their early adulthood or teen years,” Mary commented. These musical interventions help residents feel more comfortable. “The therapeutic benefits of music intervention are amazing. It reduces agitation, depression, and the feeling of isolation,” Mary said. 

Mary joined Cody Adams on WISH-TV to discuss this fundraiser. Watch her appearance here.