Local financial advisor Scott Grant was looking for a cause to support.
He found one at Langley Lodge.
Grant, who has worked as a financial advisor in Langley for the past 21 years, is part of a ‘Million Dollar Roundtable for Financial Planners,’ which has a Canadian foundation.
“They look for worthy causes in our local communities where we work as financial planners, that we can support,” Grant said.
“This cause is just a phenomenal one, here, at Langley Lodge.”
Grant is referring to the complex care home’s music therapy programming.
In late December, the Langley Care Foundation/Langley Lodge received a $2,000 grant for its music therapy program from the Million Dollar Roundtable Canadian Charitable Foundation.
Langley Care Foundation director of fundraising Patrick Matiowski noted that music therapy is one of the recreational programs offered at the facility that does not have basic funding in place.
“We fundraise year-round to ensure that our activity calendar has something for our residents to participate in, and to work on their cognitive interactions with each other and among our staff and contractors that come in to keep people active,” Matiowski said.
Matiowski added that music therapy involves bringing “specialized individuals” into the facility, to interact with Langley Lodge residents by having them use hand chimes, sing in choirs, take part in drumming circles and songwriting, and “getting people moving and getting people to interact with what their hearing and seeing.”
“A person with the qualifications (who come bring music therapy to Langley Lodge)… they’re more than entertainment,” Matiowski said. “They pay attention to how (the residents) are reacting, the speed, the pitch, the harmonies, and the melodies. We are paying people to come in and ensure that our residents are having the best quality of life possible.”
The residents and their families agree that music therapy is essential to Langley Lodge’s programming schedule, according to Matiowski.
He explained that music elevates serotonin and melatonin levels which contribute to a positive demeanor, adding that music therapy triggers desirable emotional responses among participants and “reinforces the Langley Lodge therapeutic strategy for mental health care.”
Music helps people to make connections and enjoy moments with each other,” Matiowski said. “Music provides empowerment and opportunities for self expression. It allows people to be heard; the sense of belonging is nurtured.”
Year-round music therapy is a huge draw among the 139 residents at Langley Lodge, with between 30 and 40 people taking part in it on a daily basis.
“The family members indicate that, if anything, do not lose the music therapy,” Matiowski said. “It is the most important thing we have on our calendar.”