The Power of Music

Beth Abraham Health Services (BAHS) is home to the internationally-renowned Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF), a music therapy program that has helped improve the quality of life for thousands of people who suffer from the results of neurological conditions, such as stroke, brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and depression. The IMNF’s specialties at BAHS include Dementia Care, Medical Music Psychotherapy and Music Therapy and Rehabilitation.

IMNF music therapists use clinical music therapy techniques help to meet rehabilitation goals. For example, using a rhythmic beat to coordinate movement may help individuals improve their ability to walk. Even some patients who cannot speak, due to aphasia or stroke, can work with a music therapist to help them regain their ability to communicate by singing words and phrases, as opposed to simply speaking them.

The music therapy program has rapidly transformed Beth Abraham’s rehabilitation center into a lively environment where patients are more engaged in their treatment and find their physical and occupational therapy sessions enjoyable.

Since the IMNF headquarters is located at Beth Abraham, residents referred to music therapy have the opportunity to take advantage of the IMNF’s advanced music technologies, including a therapeutic music recording studio.

In addition to clinical music therapy services, the IMNF also offers the Well-Tuned: Music Players for Health iPod Program that enables music therapists to work with family members and caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia to create a customized list of music, specifically tailored for that individual. The music is then loaded onto an iPod and listened to in order to stabilize mood, reduce tension and improve overall quality of life.

The IMNF also offers patients the opportunity to participate in enjoyable programs that have been carefully designed to promote wellness, enhance memory, improve communication, alleviate pain, and manage stress. These include resident choirs, drumming circles, song writing groups and other music therapy activities.