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The Laclede Groves Lutheran Senior Services community in Webster Groves, Missouri, recently took a beautiful step toward enhancing wellness and connection by adding Percussion Play outdoor musical instruments to their newly developed Harmony Garden. This initiative reflects their ongoing commitment to creating inclusive, joyful spaces that benefit not only residents but also their families, staff, and the wider community.
In a recent interview with Senior Living News, Emily Sitzes, Director of Community Wellness at Laclede Groves, shared the inspiration behind the Harmony Garden and the impact it’s already having. Emily, who also oversees music therapy at the community, emphasized the universal benefits of music—especially in senior living environments where emotional, cognitive, and social wellness are key priorities.
The instruments have become a valuable part of both group and one-on-one therapy sessions, offering residents a new way to express themselves, engage with others, and experience joy through sound and rhythm.
One of the most heartwarming outcomes of the Harmony Garden has been the musical collaborations** between residents and visiting students** from local Lutheran schools. These intergenerational moments—where seniors and children come together to play, laugh, and create music—have added a new layer of meaning to the space. It’s not just a garden; it’s a living, breathing example of how music can unite people across ages and backgrounds.
Laclede Groves’ Harmony Garden is a shining example of how outdoor musical instruments can be integrated into senior living communities to promote wellness, creativity, and connection. It’s a space where music becomes a shared language—one that speaks to memory, emotion, and the simple joy of being present.
👉 Read the full interview: Laclede Groves Mixes Outdoors with Music for a Little Harmony and Case Study
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