Contributed Photo
Barbara O’Neil, in back, with her mother and stepfather, Barbara and Edward Shea.
ANSONIA — The Forget Me Nots, a new chorus of senior citizens living with neurodegenerative diseases, will make its debut Tuesday with a show at Joseph Doyle Senior Center.
The chorus is part of the new Greater Valley Chapter of Music Mends Minds, a California-based nonprofit group whose mission is to create musical support groups for patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and PTSD.
In addition to The Forget Me Nots, Tuesday’s performance will feature Irish step dancing, a rendition of the song “Singing in the Rain” and an Elvis impersonator.
“It’s gonna be fun,” said Judy Nicolari. “We’ll make it fun. That’s guaranteed.”
The show, “Restoring the Rhythm of Life,” will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the senior center, 153 Main St.
Nicolari sparked the effort to start the local chapter after learning about Music Mends Minds. The local chapter includes volunteers and caregivers. The group hopes to pick up more participants after the performance.
Carol and Irwin Rosenstein, a married couple from Los Angeles, founded the organization after Irwin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and early dementia in 2006.
Carol found her husband’s memory, energy and outlook on life improved dramatically when a respite care program reignited his passion for music.
“I think it does slow the progression,” Nicolari said about the impact of music. “They say music is the best medicine of all. Even doctors say music is best for dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s — any brain injury or a stroke. For some reason the plaque in your brain will attack all cells but the ones involved with music.”
Nicolari said dementia patients can remember the lyrics to songs and, oftentimes, those who lose their ability to talk don’t lose their ability to sing.
The national organization is made possible through the sponsorship of Rotary International and the Valley chapter received strong support from Rotary Clubs in the area, including Ansonia, Seymour-Oxford and Orange.
The local Music Mends Minds committee members include Nicolari, Richard Knoll, Sandi Schuchmann, Bill Purcell, Betsy Doane, Barbara Lombardi, Jane DellaVolpe and Diane Stroman.
Purcell, who is president of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, will perform a rendition of “Singing in the Rain” with Sara Aylward on June 18. Aylward, the development director of Adams House, choreographed it.
“I think it’s a wonderful effort. For Judy, it’s very personal. It comes at a good time with the Ansonia kickoff of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month,” Purcell said.
Nicolari said Tuesday’s concert will launch the local chapter. She encourages caregivers and those interested in being volunteers to attend and learn more about Music Mends Minds.
Participants will meet for rehearsals twice a month going forward and Nicolari envisions receiving donations of musical instruments to form a band in the future.
Barbara O’Neil, of Seymour, said her mother and stepfather live with memory loss. The couple resides in Shelton Lakes Health Care Center and will perform in the Forget Me Nots.
O’Neil said she hopes Music Mends Minds lifts her parents’ spirits and makes them a little happier and more social.
“My parents used to be in a chorus at Wesley Heights and they really enjoyed it,” she said. “I’m hoping it will continue to add to their quality of life into old age.”
