B Sharp: An Arts Engagement Program
This project brings patients with dementia and their caregivers
to Fort Collins Symphony performances.
WHY IT MATTERS
In Colorado, one out of every 10 seniors has Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurological condition that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common form of dementia, and the average lifespan for a person with the illness is eight years once symptoms become noticeable to others. Alzheimer’s disease has no cure and is the sixth leading cause of death in the state.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
The B Sharp Program provides 30 people with dementia and a primary caregiver the opportunity to attend concerts with the Fort Collins Symphony. They are able to enjoy the music, engage with other community members, and participate in a study aimed at measuring the impact of the concerts on their quality of life. Additionally, this study is unique, as most music therapy programs operate in an isolated social setting. In this program, participants are given season tickets, attend receptions with other caregivers/participants, and can participate with other community members in a social setting.
This project links two of Colorado State University’s departments together: the Department of Sociology and the Department of Psychology. We have researchers from both disciplines working together to create a project that benefits the caregivers socially and the patients cognitively. Additionally, this project expands upon the Department of Sociology’s program strength, which is social change. Much of our department is focused on environmental resources, food and agriculture, criminology, and social inequality. B Sharp emphasizes the importance of social sustainability; extending the areas of specialization within the department.
PROJECT GOALS
The goal of the project is to assess how attendance at musical performances influences the mood, memory, and attention for people with dementia. In addition, we are examining the social impacts on caregivers as they participate in community events with their loved ones. Results will be used by the community to inform other dementia-focused programs in Northern Colorado.
Because we have a dozen researchers on this project, we also hope to expose our undergraduate assistants to real-world problems that allow them to apply their major. Each researcher has undergone hours of training and plays an important role in data collection. Many of our undergraduate researchers are seniors who need such experience to enter the job market and implement social programs and evaluation research. These skills are both valuable and critical for success.
WHAT WE NEED
We need your help!
This project requires dozens of hours of researchers’ time. We have 12 student researchers present at each concert and a full-time research assistant managing and coordinating a variety of cognitive assessments, interviews, focus groups, and surveys. The research has been funded in part by Home State Bank, Kaiser Permanente, and Banner Health, which have collectively donated $27,000. However, this will only cover half the research costs.
We can do the best evaluation of this program by collecting data before, after, and in between each concert. Each $5,000 we raise will pay for an additional set of assessments. The money raised will ensure that we bring the project to fruition and can publish our results.
Funding received will help us:
• Evaluate and improve the local program.
• Collect preliminary data that will be used to write research proposals.
• Identify the key components of the program so it can be replicated in other communities.
DONATE ONLINE
OR
contact Mary Kopco, Fort Collins Symphony executive director, at (970) 482-4823. They can also mail contributions designated to
B Sharp to Kopco’s attention at the Fort Collins Symphony, 223 Linden St., Suite 202, Fort Collins, CO 80524.
This project brings patients with dementia and their caregivers
to Fort Collins Symphony performances.
WHY IT MATTERS
In Colorado, one out of every 10 seniors has Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurological condition that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common form of dementia, and the average lifespan for a person with the illness is eight years once symptoms become noticeable to others. Alzheimer’s disease has no cure and is the sixth leading cause of death in the state.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
The B Sharp Program provides 30 people with dementia and a primary caregiver the opportunity to attend concerts with the Fort Collins Symphony. They are able to enjoy the music, engage with other community members, and participate in a study aimed at measuring the impact of the concerts on their quality of life. Additionally, this study is unique, as most music therapy programs operate in an isolated social setting. In this program, participants are given season tickets, attend receptions with other caregivers/participants, and can participate with other community members in a social setting.
This project links two of Colorado State University’s departments together: the Department of Sociology and the Department of Psychology. We have researchers from both disciplines working together to create a project that benefits the caregivers socially and the patients cognitively. Additionally, this project expands upon the Department of Sociology’s program strength, which is social change. Much of our department is focused on environmental resources, food and agriculture, criminology, and social inequality. B Sharp emphasizes the importance of social sustainability; extending the areas of specialization within the department.
PROJECT GOALS
The goal of the project is to assess how attendance at musical performances influences the mood, memory, and attention for people with dementia. In addition, we are examining the social impacts on caregivers as they participate in community events with their loved ones. Results will be used by the community to inform other dementia-focused programs in Northern Colorado.
Because we have a dozen researchers on this project, we also hope to expose our undergraduate assistants to real-world problems that allow them to apply their major. Each researcher has undergone hours of training and plays an important role in data collection. Many of our undergraduate researchers are seniors who need such experience to enter the job market and implement social programs and evaluation research. These skills are both valuable and critical for success.
WHAT WE NEED
We need your help!
This project requires dozens of hours of researchers’ time. We have 12 student researchers present at each concert and a full-time research assistant managing and coordinating a variety of cognitive assessments, interviews, focus groups, and surveys. The research has been funded in part by Home State Bank, Kaiser Permanente, and Banner Health, which have collectively donated $27,000. However, this will only cover half the research costs.
We can do the best evaluation of this program by collecting data before, after, and in between each concert. Each $5,000 we raise will pay for an additional set of assessments. The money raised will ensure that we bring the project to fruition and can publish our results.
Funding received will help us:
• Evaluate and improve the local program.
• Collect preliminary data that will be used to write research proposals.
• Identify the key components of the program so it can be replicated in other communities.
DONATE ONLINE
OR
contact Mary Kopco, Fort Collins Symphony executive director, at (970) 482-4823. They can also mail contributions designated to
B Sharp to Kopco’s attention at the Fort Collins Symphony, 223 Linden St., Suite 202, Fort Collins, CO 80524.
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