Through Music Share for Seniors, this resident in a retirement home enjoys spending time with a volunteer, sharing music and memories.supplied
Sharing music with seniors to reduce social isolation
Julian Powell went from delivering food for Meals on Wheels to delivering personalized music playlists and initiating interactions with seniors when he established Music Share for Seniors, a Toronto-based charity that works to reduce social isolation for people living in long-term care and retirement homes.
While studying psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and taking courses through the university’s Social Venture Zone – an incubator that supports organizations and non-profit startups focused on social good – Mr. Powell chose to volunteer with Meals on Wheels instead of writing an essay. That experience opened his eyes to the profound effects of social isolation. His subsequent research revealed that individuals living in long-term care facilities, particularly those with dementia, experience some of the highest levels of social isolation.
“Maybe if we could get people together through a shared love of music and develop regular social engagement it could be the start of something meaningful,” says Mr. Powell.
The rest is history, and today Music Share partners with hundreds of seniors each month across 10 long-term care facilities, delivering programming at least once a week.
Julian Powell“GivingTuesday is fantastic because it gives people the opportunity to give and know they are having an impact. To be part of this wider tapestry of giving that takes place is empowering for those who are looking to make a difference.
Founder and Executive Director Music Share for Seniors
“Our programs are designed to reconnect isolated seniors back to special people, places and moments in their lives,” says Mr. Powell. “At the same time, the programs offer opportunities for conversation, socialization and relationship building, and since participants make requests for the music they enjoy, they can take an active role in building their own experience.”
Youth volunteers and placement students who are interested in spending time one-on-one with seniors deliver the programs.
“The experience makes them more understanding of the needs of seniors in their community, more compassionate towards their elders and really helps to develop a more holistic view of what someone living in long-term care might go through,” he adds.
GivingTuesday is an important day for Music Share.
“It’s the biggest giving day of the year, and we’ve centred a campaign around GivingTuesday ever since we got our charitable status in 2022. Our supporters turn out to show just how much this mission really means to them,” he says, adding Giving-Tuesday’s core goal to encourage acts of kindness, volunteering and donations represents the same ethos as Music Share.
“GivingTuesday is fantastic because it gives people the opportunity to give and know they are having an impact. To be part of this wider tapestry of giving that takes place is empowering for those who are looking to make a difference,” he says.
Learn more: musicshareforseniors.ca
Advertising feature produced by Randall Anthony Communications. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.