Music sparks memories

ROCKFORD - The Laurels of Shane Hill recreation room on Monday afternoon was filled with retro songs by the likes of Wanda Jackson, Brenda Lee and The Chordettes as residents sang along, bobbed their heads back and forth and recalled memories of yesteryears.

Social worker and speaker Tim Wurster of Celina led the group through a music therapy session he calls "Bridging the Gap," which combines images and videos with pop songs and nursery rhymes to stimulate the mind and spirit.

"This guy was a teen idol, do you know who it is?" Wurster asked after playing "You Are My Sunshine."

"It's Ricky Nelson. What is Ricky Nelson's parents' names that were real famous? What were their names? They had a show in the '50s."

"Ozzie and Harriet," a woman correctly replied, sparking additional chatter.

"Did you know Ricky Nelson played in one of John Wayne's movies?" a resident hooked up to an oxygen tank asked.

Later, pictures of dogs were projected onto a screen and accompanied by the song "Bingo Was His Name-O," prompting some to remember the dogs and cats they had owned.

"When he first came into the memory care unit and we saw how he had the pictures up there - things we take for granted - they remember that. They remember their dogs," nursing home activity assistant Karen Gillis told the newspaper.

People with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia can still experience life through their senses, such as by listening to music, she explained.
"That part of your brain that stores your music is not normally damaged by diseases like Alzheimer's," Gillis said. "Things of your childhood memories, those stay intact, and they will remember more of things they heard years ago versus now."
The music evoked positive responses from most residents, even those who normally don't say much, according to Gillis.

"We have some residents that maybe wouldn't say one or two words, (and) they're singing the songs!" she said.

It's fun for the staff, too, she said.

Since 2009, Wurster has conducted the sessions at six area nursing homes to both high functioning and dementia-afflicted patients.

"I really enjoy this group because we do more music. We talk and stuff but the music is what (really gets them)," he said.

Wurster said he's always wanted to make an impact on people of all ages.

"Everyone has a right to dream and be treated like a human being," Wurster told the newspaper. "I love when the residents enjoy the music and pictures, and a joy of mine is to see a person who might have dementia or other health issues sing the words to the songs."

Wurster, 50, knows well about the power of music.

He lost his brother as well as the use of his legs in a car crash along a rural Mercer County road on May 26, 1985, a tragedy that ultimately became a stepping stone to a career aimed at helping people.

Wurster was sitting in the back seat of an automobile that veered off Mud Pike west of Celina and crashed into a field. Wurster's brother Troy was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver died later at a Lima hospital. Wurster suffered a head injury and a broken neck. His back and arm suffered multiple fractures. Tests indicated the spinal cord was irreparably damaged.

Wurster spent a year in the hospital. He was conscious but doesn't remember anything from May 26 to July 4, 1985.

"They would leave the radio on for me to hear music, and my mother said I would sing words to the songs," Wurster said. "I believe strongly that music is good for the heart and soul."

Wurster has used a wheelchair for 29 years and said he is often assumed to be a resident when he goes to the nursing home to play music for residents.

"This is an hour or two that we can listen to the oldies and do a little trivia and talk about the days gone by," Wurster said. "Some don't get company or with a medical situation, don't have the capacity to have contact with people."

On Monday afternoon, the residents participating in Bridging the Gap were seated close to one another, with many singing out loud to "Happy Trails," the theme song for a TV show featuring Roy Rodgers.

"There's Trigger (Roy Rogers' horse)," Wurster told residents, pointing to the video screen. "You know what they said? It took him 10 horses to find Trigger ... he had to find the right horse."

When it came time for bingo on Monday afternoon, a few of the residents opted to stay in the recreation room to continue talking.

Vera Pruden said she likes traditional country music and stars Hank Williams, Randy Travis and Marty Stuart. She recalled listening to the country radio station on Saturday nights.

"If I can make someone's day brighter by doing these presentations I feel better as a person," Wurster said. "Please don't forget about the aged and disabled, they have so much to give."