An interview with Carol Rosenstein from Music Mends Minds on July 11, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
My name is Carol Rosenstein and I am the Founder of Music Mends Minds. I’m originally from South Africa. I came to the United States in 1962 to study chiropractic, which led me to the psychology of mind-body medicine. As an educator for 25 years, I taught principles of mind-body medicine and clinical nutrition, plus heralding the philosophy that the body seeks to heal itself given the right circumstances.
My life partner, Irwin Rosenstein, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when he turned 70. This included dementia, which presented towards the end of his 15-year Parkinson’s journey. After 10 years of the Parkinson’s medication, frank hallucinations and extreme agitation became a side effect to the medication and Irwin’s dosage had to be severely reduced. I observed repeatedly, as Irwin was playing piano in our home, that the act of making music seemed to revive him, bringing him back consciously into the moment, forcing me to ask myself if I had given him a pill. Our personal neurologist, Dr. Jeff Bronstein, confirmed with me that the “new Irwin” was the result of the dramatic level of brain engagement while playing the piano, pushing natural dopamine into his bloodstream, as if I had given him a dose of his Parkinson’s medication.
Together as his rock and life partner, I saw an opportunity to bring like-minded Parkinson’s souls to a jam session, allowing the music and socialization to magically lift their spirits and physical functions. This was the start of Music Mends Minds and the formation of the 5th Dementia flagship band. We caught the attention of the media and documentaries and television interviews followed. 3-Minute PSA Video by National Ad Council (2021) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32e4ySE3wok
Can you tell me more about your organization?
We’re a non-profit (not a foundation).
Music Mends Minds is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates musical support groups and bands for patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and PTSD.
In 2018, I was a CNN Heroes finalist for my work with Music Mends Minds. During Covid in 2020, MMM expanded globally by creating a triweekly Zoom platform, led by our board-certified music therapist, and features a mix of sing-alongs, solos, and guest performers. This Zoom platform attracts our community of seniors, caregivers, and families worldwide. It’s fun, free, and therapeutic! MMM Zoom Group Link https://www.musicmendsminds.org/covid-19-response
In 2022, Rotary International wrote a cover story about Music Mends Minds which reached 1.2 million members in over 200 countries. This gave MMM volunteer boots on the ground to spread the power of music, changing the lives of seniors with neurodegenerative diseases. This has resulted in MMM music groups delivering music to our senior communities in several countries, with the help of Rotarians worldwide.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
My passion is to foster worldwide communities among afflicted individuals and their families, friends, volunteers, and caregivers, all of whom can thrive on socialization and music-making while waiting for a cure.
MMM currently has 9 in person music groups throughout Los Angeles. MMM and LA County/City are now in partnership, as we launch two new music groups in county senior centers. These locations will be pilot studies, with researchers delivering metrics to show the power of music changing brain chemistry, bringing back joy into the lives of our seniors, while they wait for a cure. In addition, the County has asked MMM to open 14 more groups at senior centers. Seniors will be bussed in and fed a meal at each of these locations. This assignment demonstrates the commitment of the County/City of Los Angeles to our senior community, knowing that our music offering can help maintain the quality of lives of our seniors, hopefully keeping them as part of their family unit for a lot longer before relying on other living institutions. This benefit translates into a public health initiative, potentially saving our healthcare system billions of dollars.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
Our future goal is to have Music Mends Minds known globally as a household name. We will provide metrics through our two Los Angeles County Pilot Study, to show unequivocally that music making/rhythm and play resets areas of the brain of a Parkinson’s patient and others suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.
Powerful Music Therapy Session With David Solie, Parkinson’s Patient https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XrhEPPSdVZ7PDnk74MjwiNIR7ylatuJM/view
Music is Medicine: Ask the Expert Podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7ETO7XpIC9CnuXq1MEhXJ9?si=950be3c21ffe4e83&nd=1
Music is medicine for the mind and allows Parkinson’s patients to not only improve emotional symptoms, bring joy back into their lives, but also their physical symptoms, including increased brain function, walking, and speech.
Music Mends Minds, in partnership with Rotary International Clubs and the County/City of Los Angeles, will continue to deliver music making and socialization opportunities to seniors and caregivers globally.
What effect can Music Mends Minds have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Because Parkinson’s is a movement disorder, participating in anything with a rhythm or a beat, including singing and dancing, brings with it the opportunity to reset the timing of the Parkinson’s brain. This can make the difference between increased motor function to prevent falls and increased executive function to improve behavioral skills (adaptable thinking, planning, self-monitoring, self-control, working memory, time management, and organization). All of this is the result of neuroplasticity rewiring neural networks, leading to increased brain function and the ability to experience fun as well.
What would you like to see as a future goal for Music Mends Minds?
Our future goal is to have Music Mends Minds known globally as a household name. We will provide metrics through our two Los Angeles County Pilot Study, to show unequivocally that music making/rhythm and play resets areas of the brain of a Parkinson’s patient and others suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.
Music is medicine for the mind and allows Parkinson’s patients to not only improve emotional symptoms, bring joy back into their lives, but also their physical symptoms, including increased brain function, walking, and speech.
Music Mends Minds, in partnership with Rotary International Clubs and the County/City of Los Angeles, will continue to deliver music making and socialization opportunities to seniors and caregivers globally.
What events do you participate in on behalf of Music Mends Minds?
Like all nonprofits, Music Mends Minds participates in fundraising to be able to continue to share the gift of music. Not only do we share music, but we encourage our participants to perform and make the music. This is empowering and a full body workout for the brain. We also participate in volunteering to bring music to those who need it most. We don’t look at it as charity, we look at it as sharing the wellbeing powers of music for FREE.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
Music is medicine for the mind, triggering a natural release of dopamine (a feel-good chemical) stored in our brain and automatically flushed into our bloodstream in the moment of music making. The end result is pure joy and increased brain function.