Music is so portable. We carry our digital music players, phones and tablets with us everywhere, yet the same is rarely true for those in our care who transition from one setting to another.

An individual with dementia or other cognitive or physical conditions may transition through multiple care settings, such as from their home to a nursing home, or from a hospital to a hospice. When individuals are discharged from a MUSIC & MEMORY® Certified Organization, they may lose their music and no longer enjoy the benefits access to personalized music brings.

Let’s make it a goal to partner with other health settings so that personalized music comes with those entering your care and accompanies everyone who may leave your care. Wouldn’t it be great if new residents or patients come to you with their playlist in hand?

Let’s build common systems and procedures to maintain personalized music as a part of transitions of care. How can you do this? Talk to your healthcare organization partners. Suggest they become Music & Memory Certified so that when their clients come to you they come prepared with a playlist.  And when they leave your care, include a copy of their playlist so they continue to reap the benefits as they transition to their next healthcare setting or when they return home.

Here are three steps to get started:

1. Identify your closest healthcare partners, such as those who send you referrals or to whom you refer people, and request they become Music & Memory certified.
2. If they are not already familiar with Music & Memory, share Alive Inside, the Henry video, or any positive videos and media coverage your Music & Memory program may be featured in. Communicate the importance of individuals taking their music with them and it’s benefits.
3. Create procedures for moving playlists with the patient/client/individual.

Not only will individuals benefit over time, but also other health settings in your community will reap the benefits.

To support you in your efforts, we will highlight examples of organizations that have integrated personalized music into transitions of care. These case studies will explore benefits and challenges and provide tips and recommendations.

We’d like to hear from you, too! Tell us what you’d like to hear most on this topic. We’d like to publicize your stories on transitions of care. Email carequestions@musicandmemory.org with your feedback and to share your experiences.