March is Music Therapy Month!

This is a month for music therapists across Canada to speak about their work, share information about the potential benefits of music therapy, and raise awareness about access to music therapy services.

Who are Music Therapists?

Music Therapists are professionals who are trained in accredited programs. They are able to use music safely and ethically to address human needs across a range of domains. It is a service that can be personalized, and is valuable to people across the lifespan.

Here at the Cummings Centre we offer a wide range of music therapy programs to serve the needs of our center members.

With group programs for people living with dementia, aphasia, mental illness, and Parkinson’s disease music therapy is impacting the lives of members across the center.

Use music in your life

To help you get the most out of your encounters with music, here are some tips to help you optimize how you use music in your life:

  • Increase the time you spend with music from your past! Listening to music that has a personal connection can help you revisit important moments from your life and increase the secretion of mood boosting hormones like dopamine and serotonin.
  • Take time to move to music! Whether it’s dancing around the house with a grandchild or partner, or listening to music during a workout, moving to music is a proven mood booster. Choose music that moves in a tempo that reflects how fast or slow you want to move!
  • Connect with your community in music making! One of the greatest things we can do together as humans is make music together. We are musical systems, designed to move, sing, and connect in music making! Find a music therapy program or community music activity like a choir to help increase social connections in your life.

If you are interested in accessing any of our music therapy programs for yourself or a loved one, please consult our guide for more information!

The Cummings Centre’s mission is to empower and enhance the quality of life of adults age 50 and over by providing dynamic and innovative programs, social services, and volunteer opportunities in a vibrant, respectful, inclusive and compassionate environment. Building on its Jewish heritage, Cummings embraces people from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

As the hub of Montreal’s 50+ community, the Centre touches the lives of 10,000 people on an annual basis. In addition to its main campus at 5700 Westbury Avenue in Montreal, programs are offered at several off-site locations including the West Island, Cote Saint-Luc, St.Laurent, Westmount, Chomedey and Florida.

For more information, please contact us by phone at 514-343-3510, online at www.cummingscentre.org or in person at 5700 Westbury Avenue.