The Gift of Music

Research shows that listening to music, singing, and dancing are powerful tools that can bring comfort and joy to lonely seniors living with all types of dementia.  Musical memories are often preserved in people with Alzheimer’s disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the condition. 

Music therapy can also relieve stress, reduce anxiety and depression, reduce agitation, improve mood and provide connection and togetherness, especially for those that may have difficulty communicating.  Music therapy also elevates moods, helps people smile, and can encourage movement and joy. Music brings healing, hope, and happiness.

Give the gift of music to a senior this holiday season by donating to our program.

The Program

The Heart for Music program was inspired by our founders' personal journey with his late father's dementia. Listening to music is an enlivening and meaningful experience. It can unlock cherished memories and bring feelings of joy and calm. The 2014 Audience Award-winning Sundance film, Alive Inside, tells the story of patients in care homes who struggle with impaired neurological function, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and how music improved their quality of life. Music brings healing, hope, and happiness - all of which we endeavour to bring to BC's seniors and hardworking care home staff.

Through the program, BC seniors in nonprofit care homes are given donated music equipment such as tablets, Bluetooth headphones, speakers, and iPods. They are provided with customized playlists incorporating the resident’s favourite songs,  Spotify accounts, music therapy, and live music concerts. Each resident receives music that is meaningful and that brings to the surface positive personal memories. 

"When he was listening to music, it brought life back into my father's eyes.
He became alert to his surroundings and the spark in him returned."

Rick Diamond

Staff tell us that Heart for Music: Increases enjoyment and meaningful experiences Decreases anxiety and restlessness while boosting contentment Stabilizes intense emotions and physically relaxes listeners Increases self-esteem while they sing along Promotes a sense of connection, decreasing feelings of isolation

60 care homes are currently signed up and the goal is to equip another 40 care homes with the Heart for Music Program.

Your donations help spread joy and laughter through music.

Give the gift of music to a senior this holiday season!

Your Impact

Each facility that Heart for Music works with is provided with a technology device kit valued at approximately $1000. Donations from this campaign will go directly towards purchasing this equipment so that we can expand the program further and positively impact more people. 

From $50 donation and beyond you'll receive: one HFM Fridge Magnet with love  ;)

A $100 donation sponsors:  Spotify membership for a year

A $350 donation sponsors: Headphone sets for a care home 

A $1000 donation sponsors: a Live Music Event! 

A $2500 donation sponsors: a Care Home with everything it needs!

This Christmas

“Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears – it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neurological patients, music is even more – it can provide access, even when no medication can, to movement, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a necessity.”

Oliver Sacks , best-selling author and professor of neurology at NYU School Of Medicine

If you would like to sponsor a senior’s residence in your community, volunteer, donate equipment, play live music, or gather more information, please email info@ricksheartfoundation.com 

Follow us on instagram @heartformusicbc

Heart for Music website https://www.heartformusic.org/

Rick's Heart Foundation website https://ricksheartfoundation.com/