A new program in Sharon is reconnecting older adults to the music they loved when they were younger.

Music for Elders, which is run by the Sharon Health Initiative, provides older adults with mix CDs curated to their musical tastes and portable CD players on which to listen to them.

“Some people, especially (those who) live alone or even in a home with other people, just get kind of isolated in their minds, kind of shut down and become more depressed,” said Carol Langstaff, a member of the nonprofit organization’s board of directors. “We noticed when they (listen to) music they used to love when they were younger, they come alive. They get memories and just perk up.”

Participants are interviewed by Dena Wilkie, who helps identify people who could benefit from the program through her work as Sharon’s community nurse. Wilkie then passes along her notes to Bob DiBartolo, who hosts a weekly program at Royalton Radio. DiBartolo puts together a 1-hour, 20-minute CD. He includes songs suggested by the participant and finds others that are similar.

“Some folks like religious music; some folks like country western music from the ’30s and ’40s,” DiBartolo said, adding that Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra are among the favorite artists. “Lot of Glenn Miller fans out there.”

Among the program participants is Shirley, who wished to be identified by only her first name.

“When they asked me what kind of music I like, I said I’d always been a country fan, country music,” said Shirley, who is her 80s.

She grew up listening to country music and attended barn dances in Fairlee and Orford, where she met husband.

“I danced and we sang, and we had a lot of fun,” Shirley said.

She has enjoyed listening to CDs that include Don Williams, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.

“It’s wonderful,” Shirley said.

Langstaff was inspired to start the program after viewing YouTube videos from the Alive Inside project. In those videos, older adults, some with dementia, listen to music and become engaged with what they are hearing.

“When I saw that, it was really exciting to me,” said Langstaff, a musician herself. “It’s just led my life, and still does.”

Around half a dozen people have participated in the program since it launched last year. The Central Vermont Council on Aging provided a $3,500 grant to help fund it. CDs, CD players and headphones are now also available at Baxter Memorial Library in Sharon and Morrill Memorial & Harris Library in Strafford. Langstaff hopes to spread the program to other community nurse programs in the area and elder care facilities.

“I’m really excited about it,” Langstaff said. “It’s already really working wonders.”

Strafford looks to hire community nurse

Strafford is the latest Upper Valley community to start a community nurse program.

The program, called the Strafford Community Nurse, is being funded by grants and individual donations. It will be run by the board of The Strafford Community Nursing Program.

The board is currently trying to hire a part-time nurse to fill the position. More information can be found at straffordcommunitynurse.weebly.com.

As a way to raise funds, the board is holding a wellness raffle from the end of January to early February. People can purchase tickets to win vouchers for health-oriented services and activities including yoga, acupuncture and flower arranging. Tickets will be available at Coburn’s General Store in South Stafford, and the drawing will take place on Valentine’s Day.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.

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