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Music Therapy, With A Boost From Computer Technology, At Jefferson House

Fading eyesight prevents Marilyn Duncan, a resident, from playing piano as she did years ago or engaging in many activities. But when music therapist Laura Bunker introduced her to  Beamz, an innovative electronic instrument, Duncan, 93, eagerly raised her hand and waved it through the device’s laser beam, creating a drum beat and other sounds to accompany a favorite tune.

During a small group gathering, Duncan and three other residents smiled broadly as they were introduced to Beamz, which engages people of all abilities, promotes fine and gross motor skills and stimulates the brain through music and games. “I never saw anything like this,” said Jennie Pawlik, a resident who had been playing “Edelweiss” on the keyboard just a few minutes before.

Bunker encouraged the women to experiment with Beamz, as she changed the instrumentation and musical style on her laptop. This new technology is just one aspect of the diverse music therapy program under Bunker’s direction. Since she was hired in September to lead the two-year grant-funded initiative, she is rarely seen without her acoustic guitar. Throughout the day, she brings music to residents and rehabilitation patients.

“Residents have a wide variety of diagnoses and music therapy can be a good complementary treatment” she said. “The goal is to improve the quality of life.”

The results have been remarkable, said Susan Vinal, executive director of Jefferson House, a department of Hartford Hospital that offers short-term/outpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing and palliative care. She has seen how music therapy has reached residents who have been uncommunicative, sparked memories and brought people together to sing…

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