ADRC Music Box Initiative hits a high note for people with dementia

Ashley Gravatte has been very busy.

The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center’s Director of Arts and Wellness created the Music Box Initiative — a program that offers people navigating dementia-related brain changes the opportunity to receive instruments, custom playlists and engagement ideas.

Since the program’s 2023 inception, Gravatte has crafted and gifted over 80 music kits to Care Partners, libraries and memory care facilities.

“Probably close to 100 people have been touched by this project,” she said.

The Winter Park Library has boxes that can be checked out, and the Orlando Public Library just received four music boxes for their new memory care community engagement project.

“They have a program where they go into memory care and do storytelling activities. I’m partnering with them with the music boxes, and volunteers are using them in the storytelling program,” Gravatte said.

The library’s Community Engagement Department Head, Genevieve Trass, said the program targets older adults, Care Partners and their families.

“Our Stories Senior Storytelling and Senior Brain Exercise projects aim to offer resources to help enhance mental focus, brain health, and the overall feeling of well-being for seniors, especially those who live with dementia or Alzheimer’s,” she said.

She is excited about incorporating Gravatte’s music boxes into their programming.

“The tips and strategies, engagement recommendations, and instructional videos help to reduce planning and preparation for our staff. The images included for use with the songs enhance a well-organized, portable kit,” she said.

She said they also plan to use a box specifically designed for Spanish-speakers.

“With the library system, I’m really excited about it particularly because it’s going to be available to so many more people,” Gravatte said. “I’m really looking forward to branching out and to getting it into as many hands as I can, so that people have access to free music sources that can really help their person.”

She has sent boxes beyond Orlando and even Florida, and said that she would ship anywhere.

Care Partners or memory care facilities interested in applying for one can contact Gravatte through her email Ashley@ADRCcares.org, and she’ll send the interested party an intake form.