This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Assistance League of Diablo Valley's Show on the Road Reaches Beyond Entertainment

Assistance League® of Diablo Valley is a nonprofit, member volunteer organization dedicated to improving lives in the Contra Costa community through hands-on programs. Since 2000, one of its programs, Show on the Road, has provided innovative musical entertainment that has helped stimulate long-term memory while providing senior care residents a break from their daily routine.

Bringing the curtain down on yet another stellar season, the Show on the Road traveling troupe maintained an energetic schedule of rehearsals and performances that they presented at assisted living facilities in the Contra Costa community during the holiday season and the spring.  Comprised of script writers, dance coaches, song leaders, photographers, performance schedulers and volunteers who “stared down the threat of stage fright,” the Show on the Road cast helped senior residents recall songs of bygone days.  Likewise, the cast encouraged them to sing along during the concluding selections and, therefore, connect with each other, and then visited with the audience members after the performances.  In 2013-2014, the Show on the Road volunteers visited 29 senior care facilities, reaching out to approximately 1,180 happy and appreciative residents.

Interestingly, the merits attributed to the power of music among seniors, especially those dealing with the Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia, go beyond entertainment. Linda S. Noelker, PhD, past editor-in-chief of The Gerontologist, is a member of long standing of the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, a national leader pursuing innovation in practice and policy to address the important issues of aging.  Her extensive research on caregiving focuses on the challenge of communicating with older adults in the later stages of Alzheimer’s Disease.  One of her pieces, The Arts are Chocolate for the Brain, a phrase borrowed from fellow proponent Dr. Gene Cohen, maintains that mature adults can improve their cognitive skills and overall health by participating in the performing and creative arts.  Engaging in the arts is a proven way to help maintain one’s health, a conclusion widely supported by other scientists.  Current thinking also asserts that relevant music and memory are long-time companions.  The most social of the arts, music, especially singing, not only helps people bond, it promotes well-being and self-esteem.

Find out what's happening in Lamorindawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ending on a lighter note, it is most improbable that the Show on the Road performers belabored research when preparing for their performances.    Their input comes from the heart, input that is reinforced when seeing a pair of eyes coming to life, a smile spreading across one’s face, lips moving while mouthing long forgotten words, a hand reaching to them.  This is what explains the volunteers’ hours of preparation, their love of music, and their emotional availability to those in our community who are many times underrepresented.  To learn more about Show on the Road or Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s other philanthropic programs, please visit its website:  diablovalley.assistanceleague.org.

Find out what's happening in Lamorindawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?