Each day Jim’s wife, Rose, patiently and lovingly assists him with the most fundamental and often personal of tasks. From shaving his stubbly face with that fancy new electric razor he got for Father’s Day, to slowly buttoning up the front of his cozy flannel shirt, Rose remains a steadfast and compassionate caregiver despite often feeling like a stranger.

On this particular day, Jim isn’t doing so well. After a very long morning, he’s escorted to the living room where he’ll stare blankly at the television for a couple hours while Rose recovers from the A.M. grind. She’s feeling a bit more exhausted than usual, longing for the companionship and affection her husband was once able to provide. Willing to try anything at this point to connect with him again, on any level, Rose decides to add something new to Jim’s afternoon agenda – music therapy.

Days later, Rose eagerly answers a knock at the front door, welcoming Stefana Dadas, a board-certified music therapist with Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care, into her quaint Santa Barbara home. After a candid discussion about Jim’s condition and history, Stefana pulls an acoustic guitar from its case and begins serenading him with the WWII classic, White Cliffs of Dover. Jim studies her fingers intently as they dance across the bronze strings. And then it happens. Something Rose hasn’t seen her husband do in quite some time. Jim smiles.

Imagine not being able to remember your spouse’s name, perhaps even your own name, but with little effort could hum note-for-note, a song your grandmother used to sing to you as a young child. Can you imagine the excitement, the relief, you might find in being able to identify with something from the past and for a brief moment, feel like you had some sense of who you are or where you came from?

People with Alzheimer’s often lose the ability to speak or recognize loved ones as the disease progresses, but many retain the capacity to remember songs from long ago. It isn’t suggested that music can reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s, but studies have shown music therapy can complement other forms of treatment and offer substantial long-term health benefits and comfort.

Following the success of their initial session, Stefana developed a music therapy schedule with specific goals for Jim based on his condition and personal history. In the weeks that followed, he not only continued to smile, but actually began singing along with Stefana who shared dozens of songs she thought might spark some memory of days long forgotten. Jim’s response to the therapy was remarkable and Rose found great respite in knowing her husband, at least for a few hours a week, was able to find joy and peace through music.

“While all of the hospice services are unbelievably marvelous, Stefana is among the best.  It’s the one time a week that Jim and I are able to connect and share memories through the music.  It is the highlight of our week,” said Mrs. Summers.

Through the generosity of local philanthropists Jack and Julie Nadel, Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care is able to offer music therapy to Jim as part of its ongoing hospice services.  Jack and Julie started the Elly Nadel Music Therapy Program in 2008 as a tribute to Jack’s late wife who benefited from the healing power of music during her battle with cancer.

“Bringing Elly’s favorite music to her during those final days dramatically improved the quality of her life. We’re thrilled the Elly Nadel Music Therapy Program will bring comfort and peace to hospice patients in their last days,” said Mr. Nadel.

Stefana and VNHC’s Elly Nadel Music Therapy Program serves dozens of patients who receive treatment on a regular basis.  The program is of particular benefit to hospice patients, bringing relief from physical symptoms like pain or discomfort and reducing psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, or isolation commonly associated with end-of-life care. Stefana finds music therapy also of great benefit to family members and friends navigating the grief process.

Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care provides licensed music therapy to hospice patients like Jim throughout Santa Barbara County including Santa Ynez and Lompoc Valleys. If you would like to learn more about the Elly Nadel Music Therapy Program, please contact Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care at (805) 965-5555 or visit us online at www.vnhcsb.org.

Patient names in this story have been changed to protect their privacy in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Seniors today have a vast number of health resources available, many of which enable them to maintain healthy, independent lifestyles from the comforts of home. One of these resources is called geriatric care management – a comprehensive program where individuals and family members work with a health professional to develop a complete care plan addressing a person’s physical, social and emotional needs.

Geriatric care managers work closely with doctors, specialists and other long-term care professionals to help make sure a patient is being properly cared for after leaving a physician’s office or medical facility.

Maurine Atkins, a 92 year-old Santa Barbara resident and active community member, recently hired a geriatric care manager after being diagnosed with congestive heart disease – a serious condition common in old age and often marked by painful swelling, difficulty breathing and in some cases, organ failure. Although Atkins receives full-time care from a close family friend, treatment of her condition is challenging and includes a strict diet, complex medication regimen and daily exercise.

Because of her ongoing health requirements, Atkins and her family felt she would benefit from the services of a health professional who could help assess and manage the quality of her in-home care. After some research and guidance from her doctor, Atkins found the help she needed in Kathleen Smith, a registered nurse (RN) and geriatric care manager with Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara.

“If you didn’t have people like Kathleen, life would be awful for old people,” said Atkins, who looks forward to her weekly visits from Smith. “Kathleen knows all the kinds of things I should or shouldn’t do and she tells me. You know, when you have that much confidence in the people that are taking care of you, you have nothing to worry about.”

The first step in assisting Atkins was conducting a thorough assessment of her state of care and well being. Smith reviewed her physical and emotional condition, living environment and daily routine – noting any areas of concern like difficulty bathing, dressing or preparing meals. She also identified any safety hazards or injury risks in the home and recommended ways to address these issues.

“Often, simple measures such as removing clutter and throw rugs, improving the lighting or installing grab bars in the bathroom and shower can greatly reduce the risk of an accident and enable someone to live safely and independently in their home,” said Smith who has over 20 years of experience working with seniors and aging issues.

Following the initial evaluation, Smith worked with Atkins and her doctors, family and caregiver to develop a personalized care plan incorporating each of her unique health and personal needs. In addition, Smith supervised the installation of new safety equipment and provided Atkins’ family with information about helpful community resources such as personal care, legal and financial services, meal delivery and adult day care programs.

“Geriatric care managers support patients and their loved ones during all phases of the decision-making process — from liaising with existing doctors and specialists to recommending and overseeing additional in-home services like cleaning and laundry,” said Lynda Tanner, president and CEO of Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care, which provides geriatric and personal care services to more than 400 local residents each year.

“Things like dietary requirements, new medications or even medical bills can be confusing and often overwhelming for someone new to long-term care,” she said. “These qualified and well-trained health professionals work within a patient’s existing continuum of care — advocating on the patient’s behalf and helping coordinate every aspect of their care regimen.”

Atkins’ full-time caregiver, who is not a trained professional, finds Smith’s assistance very reassuring and acknowledges that because of her additional support and expertise, he is able to provide better care to his dear friend while allowing more time for his own needs.

Smith currently visits Atkins every Thursday in her East Mesa home which she and her husband built by hand in the early 1960’s. Following a quick check of her vitals and review of the weekly routine, Atkins can’t wait to share with Smith, stories of passion and adventure – like how she piloted one of the first post-revolution flights to Cuba in her own plane, protested the Vietnam War in animated State Street demonstrations as a member of the Grey Panther Party or coped with her husband’s severe bipolar disorder.

No matter how vivid or epic her adventures, or what corners of the earth she explored – Atkins’ first love was and will always be, her family and her Santa Barbara home. Thanks to the compassionate care she receives from her friends, family and dedicated professionals like Smith, Atkins will continue to enjoy the rest of her days in the one place she feels most comfortable and secure.

Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care provides licensed geriatric care management services to people like Atkins throughout Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Valley and Lompoc Valley. They offer a free in-home assessment where individuals and family members can create a customized home health plan addressing all relevant needs.

If you are a senior who needs care now, the relative of someone who needs assistance, or an older adult preparing for the future, in-home geriatric care may be an ideal solution for getting the help you need. Contact Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care at 805-965-5555 to speak with a licensed care manager or ask your doctor for more information.

With no clinics in Santa Barbara, the women who founded the organization saw the need to provide health care at home for low-income families and patients unable to go to the hospital. Families also needed education to prevent infectious diseases, food poisoning and other life-threatening health problems that were common.

Starting out with one nurse who went to patients’ homes on foot, the founders of the budding non-profit were delighted with the loan of a horse, and even more excited when an automobile was donated in 1915.

That was the year that Josefina Jacobo was born, in Jalisco, Mexico. “My mother was brought to the United States when she was 30 days old,” says Yolanda Marquez, 60, a community college teacher. “Mom lived in Carpinteria when she was young, and married my dad, José Dolores Marquez, in 1930. He worked for 50 years in the lemon groves and became a mayordomo de quadrilla [foreman].”

In the 1940s the Marquez family bought a house in Santa Barbara. “Mom was a musician. She would get her guitar and come out in the parades and sing with Mrs. Castro and the dancers at the courthouse,” remembers Marquez with a grin as she cuddles her toy terrier.

When Josefina was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease at age 90, Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care helped Yolanda care for her mother. VNHC physical therapist Li-Ching helped Josefina become stronger so she could walk better, and Luciana and other trained caregivers assisted her with activities like bathing and dental care, giving Yolanda a break.