Melinda Burgard to offer seminar at Wisner library on use of music for dementia on March 20

WARWICK — According to the Alzheimer's Association more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life.
On Wednesday evening, March 20, from 6:30 to 7: 30 p.m., Melinda Burgard will be offering a free Seminar at the Albert Wisner Public Library titled: "Using Music as a Therapeutic Tool in Dementia Care."
Burgard, owner of Melinda's Music, is a certified music therapist and New York State licensed creative arts therapist.
Participants will learn the difference between music therapy and therapeutic music; how to create a playlist for yourself or someone else; importance of self-care for caregivers and hear many anecdotal stories from her professional practice for almost 30 years.
The Albert Wisner Public Library, with few exceptions, also hosts monthly Alzheimer's Association Music Socials conducted by Burgard on the third Friday of every month including this Friday, March 15, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
These social events are free and open to Individuals living with middle stage Dementia accompanied by their family caregiver.
The group get together offers a safe environment to socialize, laugh, sing, play instruments and enjoy refreshments. The music social is made possible by the Warwick Reform Church's M.A.D (Making a Difference) teenagers along with coffee and donuts provided by Warwick's Dunkin' Donuts.
Essentials• To register for the seminar, contact Albert Wisner Public Library online or call 845-986-1047
• To register for the Alzheimer's Association Music Social, call 1,800.272.3900.
• And to contact Burgard directly, email her at melindasmusic@cs.com or contact/text her at: 845.987.4750.
- Roger Gavan