Heart For Music Summer Newsletter
- Heart For Music
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
The Heart for Music program is impacting the lives of older adults across British Columbia and beyond, bringing joy, comfort, and connection through the power of personalized music.
This summer we have supported:
New care home donations: 4
Support donations to care homes: 13
Total care homes supported through donations/set-up: 40
We wanted to share this impact through the words of the care home staff and residents themselves who benefit from the program.
At Ts’i’ts’uwatul’ Lelum Assisted Living, the impact of music on Memory and Reminiscing was beautifully captured:
“This is a fantastic program! With the use of the speakers we have been able to offer more group-focused music opportunities and the residents enjoy it soooo much! We just hosted an outdoor BBQ and our residents got to play DJ and pick songs they would like to hear. Listening to them reminisce about what the songs mean to them and the memories they hold was a touching experience. Thank you so much for bringing music to our building!”
For Recreation Therapists, the program is a vital tool in supporting resident engagement. At Castleview Wychwood Towers LTC, one therapist shared:
“As a recreation therapist, having consistent access to music for residents has been pivotal for providing engagement for residents who prefer self-directed activities. Residents have expressed joy in listening to the music, customizing playlists, and having access to a wide variety of artists.”
The program also plays a compassionate role in Palliative Care. At Spruce Manor Special Care Home, staff have found new ways to bring comfort to residents and their families:
“We are using the program for individuals, families who are sitting at the bedside during palliative care and now we are using the tablets with Bluetooth speakers for the outdoor patios. They continue to be an asset to our residents in various ways.”
For seniors Facing Isolation, music has become a lifeline. At Foyer Richelieu, the program has helped reduce loneliness and foster connection:
“We've used the program primarily to support isolated residents (those who must remain in their room due to an illness or through their own preferences). We've been able to provide music, podcasts, and videos on YouTube which have significantly reduced feelings of loneliness for those isolated to their rooms.”
In Dementia Care, the ability to tailor music to individual preferences has had a calming and uplifting effect. As staff at Foyer Lacombe observed:
“This past couple of months we've had a few new admissions with Dementia and Parkinson's. Seeing how music calms these particular individuals down is amazing. I love that we can individualize the music for each person and they get to enjoy what they love.” From sparking memories to soothing anxiety, encouraging self-expression and easing those in the final moments of life, Heart for Music is a lifeline of joy, dignity, and connection for older adults and their caregivers alike.
Total HFM Impact:
254 Care Homes
60,000 Total Residents
160,000 Total Hrs of Music
235 Music Accounts
1147 Tablets
1575 Headphones and speakers
Summer Student Highlight
This summer Heart for Music has been blessed with an incredible summer student, Jessica. Jumping right into summer events at the top of June, Jessica has been heading up our socials and blogs, leading our event support, assisting with admin tasks, and conducting errands and care home visits throughout the Valley. Grateful to have Jessica on our team this summer!
Thank you to recent grantees/donors:
First West Foundation - Envision Financial Community Endowment grant (First West Foundation is proud to provide grants through Envision Financial Community Endowment)
The Hamber Foundation grant
Elements Casino donation
Used Percussion Instrument Drive with Long & McQuade
Heart for Music is thrilled to partner with Long & McQuade for a BC-wide Percussion Instrument Drive starting August 1st, 2025! We're inviting our community to donate gently used percussion instruments, like tambourines, shakers, and hand drums, which will be distributed to not-for-profit care homes across BC. These instruments will enhance music programming for seniors, offering joy, connection, and creative expression. Long and McQuade are generously opening their participating BC store locations to accept gently used percussion instrument donations - find a store near you. Stay tuned to find out more about this initiative HERE, or reach out to hfm@ricksheartfoundation.com. Let’s make music accessible for BC seniors!
Music resources meet Canadian seniors in practical ways, reaching those living with in isolation, with Dementia, and for residents and family members in Palliative care. Music holds memories, and it has a big impact on the over 200,000 older adults in Canadian Long-Term care homes. You can enhance the life of a deserving senior today by supporting the Heart for Music Program.
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