Claremore Veterans Center Creating Music Library To Help With Vets' Dementia, Pain

<p>The Claremore Veterans Center became certified with a program called Music and Memory last month. It pairs each vet with a personalized playlist of songs that make them nostalgic and happy.</p>

Tuesday, March 14th 2017, 11:07 pm

By: News On 6

Claremore Veterans Center Creating Music Library To Help With Vets' Dementia, Pain

Chances are, when you see Bobby Kaiser, he'll have his headphones on, listening to gospel music.

Bobby got an mp3 player not too long ago.

"I call them a 'doohickey,'" he said.

Bobby is a Marine vet and he's been in and out of the hospital and physical therapy lately; but he can't stop smiling.

"I'm a happy man. I'll tell you people right now, I'm a happy man. And this here helps," he said, holding up his music.

The Claremore Veterans Center became certified with a program called Music and Memory last month. It pairs each vet up with a free iPod, earphones and a personalized playlist of songs that make them nostalgic and happy.

"What we're hoping to do is allow our veterans that opportunity to go back and connect with that emotional memory," said Monique Dilonardo, the Center's recreation program administrator.

Dilonardo said studies show the music reduces anxiety and depression. It especially helps those with dementia or suffering from constant pain.

"Not only seniors, but anybody with a physical or mental challenge, that they can use music to help them through those difficult times and creating good memories," she said.

The Center needs to expand its music collection and needs original CDs from certain genres and time periods.

It's also hoping to get some donated iPods - 300 of them, for all of the vets who live at the Center, so that Bobby's happiness can spread through the entire veterans center.

"This is the best thing that has ever come to my life except my wife of 61 years," Bobby said, smiling.

If you're interested in donating a CD, iPod or headphones, you can drop those items off at the front desk at 3001 West Blue Starr Drive in Claremore, just east of Rogers State University.

Donated CDs must be original, not copies. These artists are preferred:

20s and 30s