On Tuesday, Vashon Rotary Club member Amy Huggins will introduce islanders to a free, weekly program aimed at improving the well-being of seniors and anyone with dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease or Parkinson’s Disease, through the use of music.

Music Mends Minds is a program that works to build bands composed of both seniors and youth, in an effort to maximize the benefits of both inter-generational support and music therapy.

“My husband and I watched a story about the program on PBS Newshour in February,” Huggins said. “It was a very powerful piece.”

The story had such an impact on Huggins and her husband, who has been diagnosed with early onset dementia, that after rewatching it several times, they decided that they wanted to see it in action. So, on a trip to Los Angeles to see their daughter, the couple also met with the program’s creators.

Carol and Irwin Rosenstein founded the program and nonprofit organization in Los Angeles after Irwin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and early-onset dementia in 2008. He experienced dramatic improvements in his memory, energy and overall outlook while participating in an inter-generational respite program at UCLA, where he played piano and mentored students. The results of the Rosenstein’s efforts are a band they call The 5th Dementia, and a support group formed by the caregivers of the participants.

“That was really inspiring to me,” Huggins noted of the idea of spending time with others in her situation. “To have a group … that I could connect with and that could potentially be of help to me seemed like a great idea.”

After returning to Vashon energized about the possibilities, Huggins spoke to the Rotary’s Jan Milligan, who she said thought the program would be a good community service project. She also connected with Vashon Community Care (VCC) as well as Steve Steffens who runs the island’s Parkinson’s Disease support group.

Though Huggins has not been able to find a band leader or connect with any of the schools to discuss student involvement, she has received some donations of kazoos (from Granny’s Attic and Vashon Chorale members) as well as African percussion items (from Ann Lewis) for participants. The group will also have access to a piano and saxophone.

“Hopefully as word gets out, we’ll find someone who wants to lead the group and figure out how to involve young people,” Huggins said. “It’s really a work in progress.”

For now, VCC plans on bringing a group of residents and their caregivers, and Huggins’ friends who also have affected partners will be there.

“My father had Alzheimer’s,” Huggins said of her drive to get this program off the ground, “so I see this as honoring his memory as well as for my husband.”

Music Mends Minds will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Lutheran church. All ages are welcome, and musical instrument experience is helpful but not necessary. The group welcomes instrument donations and is in need of a band leader. For more information or to help, contact Amy Huggins at amyhugs@comcast.net or call her at 851-7159.