Alzheimers Coachella Valley (ACV) joins SongShine and Music Mends Minds in presenting the 2019 Healthy Brain Expo on Friday, March 22, 1 – 4 p.m. at the Braille Institute, 70251 Ramon Road.
Guest speaker is Donald Anderson, MD Psychiatry/Neurology who will discuss current research treatments for Alzheimer’s disease including new immunotherapies.
Dr. Anderson, principal investigator at Desert Valley Research, has 21 years of experience working in the field of Clinical Trials. He is board certified in Psychiatry and Neurology and board eligible in Internal Medicine. After completing a Psychiatry fellowship at the University of Rochester, Dr. Anderson served as Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Loma Linda University School of Medicine for 16 years.
The Magic of Music will be presented by Carol Port Rosenstein, co-founder/executive director of Music Mends Minds, Inc. along with Brandon Carone, music cognition researcher.
Dr. Rosenstein, is an educator and pioneer in the field of holistic mind-body medicine. After her career as a chiropractor, she became interested in total mind-body health and acquired a Master’s in Transformational Psychology to help her further delve into alternative and complementary medicine.
A special live musical performance will be by SongShine and Tunes for the Memory.
More than 20 area non-profit organizations, senior living communities, and caregiving agencies will be on hand to answer questions regarding caregiving, placement and related community services.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call ACV at 760-776-3100.
About Alzheimers Coachella Valley
Alzheimers Coachella Valley is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit committed to providing charitable services and program for persons with impaired cognition living in the Coachella Valley, their caregivers and families.
It provides innovative social/educational programs for caregiver and patient, support groups throughout the Coachella Valley, public and professional education, and local professional referrals. Care advisors and support group facilitators are volunteer professionals who have more than 20 years’ experience with Alzheimer’s / dementia care.
ACV also offers community-awareness programs, speakers for business and community organizations, and state-approved Continuing Education Unit training for professional caregivers. It is not affiliated with any national organizations; 100 percent of monies raised here stays in the desert to fill the need for professional and peer-led programs.
About Music Mends Minds
Music Mends Minds (MMM) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit that creates musical support group bands for patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and PTSD. These musical support groups foster a community between the musicians and singers, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers, all of whom thrive on the socialization and music making. MMM also aims to educate our community and public about the latest scientific findings regarding the benefits of music on the brain through several platforms including online and in print resources.
About Tunes for the Memory
Tunes for the Memory, in its fourth year, is a division of Music Mends Minds, started by Carol Rosenstein. Rosenstein responded to a newspaper article about the LA area 5th Dementia Band that had organized to help people with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and PTSD. There is ongoing research about how music affects the brain and it is known that it has a calming effect on the participant. Those who suffer from dementia may lose the ability to speak, but they can still sing; may not be able to read the music, but in many cases can still play. Tunes for the Memory meets every Friday at 1:30 at the Braille Institute, room 24. Slideshow
About SongShine
SongShine-Where Voices Come to Life, is a vocal and dramatic arts program designed around the leading edge science of neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to rewire itself. SongShine is for people whose ability to communicate clearly has been compromised by Parkinson’s, stroke, other neurological challenges, and aging. SongShine harnesses the power of brain, breath, and emotion and was created by Dr. Ruthanna Metzgar and Juilliard trained professional actor, Peter Harris. SongShine classes create community, camaraderie, and confidence. And they are FUN! Metzgar and Harris also direct SongShine Singers and Players which gives opportunities for those with neurologically challenged and aging voices to present a concert version of a Broadway musical. This year’s musical will be My Fair Lady, Saturday, April 6, 2 p.m. at Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church.
