SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — A Valley nonprofit is marking 25 years of bringing live music to seniors living in small residential care homes across the Phoenix area, reaching more than 1,300 residents each month.
Audrey’s Angels was founded in 2001 by Robert and Audrey Alderson after placing a family member — their great Aunt Betty — in a small care home in Scottsdale. During regular visits, the family noticed that other residents in the home were not receiving visits from family or friends. Audrey Alderson proposed bringing in musicians to create a sense of community and engagement for those residents.
The organization began serving five homes with nine musicians. It has since grown to more than 60 musicians providing more than 500 monthly music sessions across 132 or more homes and five adult day enrichment centers throughout the Valley.
Music as a tool for memory and engagement
Linda, a representative of the organization, said many residents in these homes are no longer able to communicate and tend to stay in their individual rooms…