support services for these individuals and their caregivers , we just didn ’ t realize how big of a gap it was ,” she said .
The program is run by Purvis , Kayla Fuentes , director of education for the Meridian Symphony Association , and Jewel Lynne Shirley , a board certified music therapist who works in the Division of Education at Mississippi State University Meridian campus and part time for the association .
Healing Harmonies uses creative therapy and the healing properties of music and the arts to help patients and their caregivers achieve specific goals . For example , playing tambourines , maracas and castanets or waving scarves to a song ’ s rhythm can help stroke recovery patients with their mobility and fine motor skills . Singing can help patients overcome speech or language difficulties .
For Alzheimer ’ s patients , Fuentes said , the goal can be simply for them to achieve a moment where they are coherent , where they are actually present and engaged with their caregiver , which sometimes can happen with the help of music .
Purvis said the idea behind Healing Harmonies is to work not only with the patients but also their caregivers who may need the benefits of a support group or who simply are looking for ways to help their loved one .
“ That ’ s a component that most programs leave out , that they don ’ t really focus on , and we really felt like that was such as huge component of need that we wanted to make sure to really hone in on it ,” she said .
Healing Harmonies is also unique because of its partnership with MSU Meridian . The program serves as an official internship site for the university ’ s Department of Education and an approved practicum program for the Department of Counseling .
“ They were struggling to find ways for their students to get hands-on , real-life experiences before they graduate ,” Purvis said . “ We were able to work with them to
Patients and caregivers participate in the Healing Harmonies sessions . Photo courtesy of Lisa Sollie / Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus .
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Jewel Lynne Shirley , a board certified music therapist , works with patients on an exercise using songs and music . Photo courtesy of Meridian Symphony Association .
have those students come in to be a part of these group sessions . As we ’ re doing the music classes , they are there to talk with the patients and work with them .”
She said counseling students are also able to pull caregivers out from the group to work with them on relaxation techniques , dealing with stress , or any problems they may be encountering . MSA is working to expand Healing Harmonies . Last spring , the program began offering weekend wellness workshops to pediatric patients and caregivers of special needs children in collaboration with The SPOT , or Safe Place for Others to Thrive . They also are working with Anderson Regional Cancer Center in hopes of bringing the program to oncology patients in the fall and would like to explore working with military service members and veterans , especially those who have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder or neurological brain traumas .
More funding and volunteers are needed to achieve the program ’ s goal of offering music therapy to all areas of the community , Fuentes said . One bright spot is that former Miss Mississippi Emmie Perkins , founder of the Music is Medicine program , will begin working with the association this fall .
“ This program is really near and dear to her heart . It is something that she has worked a lot on ,” Purvis said . “ She ’ s partnered with us since the very beginning of the program . We are very happy to have her . That is going to help expand our capacity a little bit .” M
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