“SingFit” Music Therapy

Tucson’s Watermark Retirement Communities Ushers in the Holidays with “SingFit” Music Therapy for Engaged, Happy, Healthy Aging. Holiday favorites will play tomorrow, December 14th at 10:30am in the Gardens at The Hacienda at the Canyon, a Watermark Retirement Community. Memory Care residents and their families will sing along as part of the SingFit musical therapy program. The energizing session will be led by Missy Paschke-Wood, the Hacienda’s community resource director. “SingFit has so many benefits,” Paschke-Wood said. “Social, mental, physical. The songs take you on a visual and emotional trip and people really love it. The holidays are a particularly powerful time for SingFit because the songs inspire special memories.”

SingFit music therapy is a program that Watermark introduced this year. Developed by Musical Health Technologies, the SingFit program provides communities like The Hacienda at the Canyon with music and accompanying materials to facilitate interactive, social sessions that combine singing, movement, and trivia to stimulate the brain and body. Music therapy has been shown to have whole-body benefits.

A study by AARP showed that musical engagement is associated with higher rates of happiness and cognitive function, especially for those over 50. Research also indicates that actively singing can help elevate one’s mood by improving cortisol levels. “During SingFit, we’re moving, dancing and grooving,” Paschke-Wood said. “We get the whole body involved.” Each one-hour session is led by a certified facilitator who guides participants through the music with prompts and lyrics. Pre-recorded music states the lyrics so participants don’t need a piece of paper to follow along. “It’s customizable for different levels of acuity,” Paschke-Wood added. “And we put our own spin on it here at The Hacienda at the Canyon.”

Hacienda resident Betty Shelby loves attending SingFit sessions. “I really enjoy it,” Shelby said. “I love to sing and it’s great to be with other people who like to sing and dance.” Watermark Chairman David Freshwater said, “Our varied and unique programming is a part of what makes Watermark stand out. We will continue to innovate and offer programs that our residents not only love, but that also offer whole mind-body benefits.” The media is invited to attend the SingFit Holiday session tomorrow morning, 12/14, to see first-hand the music therapy program and how it is benefiting elders this holiday season.

About Watermark Retirement Communities
Watermark creates extraordinary and innovative communities where people thrive. We believe aging is about renewal rather than retirement. Watermark communities are known for highly trained and caring associates, a lifestyle built on choice, fine amenities, integrative wellness and innovative programs including the award-winning Watermark University featuring a wide variety of engaging classes for residents and area seniors. Watermark has been named in the top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services™ in a national program conducted by the Great Place to Work® Institute and published in Fortune. Based in Tucson AZ, Watermark is a privately held company with a reputation for over 30 years for service, innovation, integrity and financial stability, and manages more than 65 retirement communities in 21 states coast to coast. Visit watermarkcommunities.com for more information.