Soothing the soul: Music classes help lift spirits at Norwalk senior living community
Brightview Senior Living facility brings love and joy through daily music to residents.
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A senior living community in Norwalk is using music to stimulate the minds of its residents and engage with them.
At Brightview Senior Living on New Canaan Avenue, there are daily music classes. One of the instructors is Steve Avitabile. He's also the vibrant living assistant. During his classes, he plays the piano, sings and even dances with the residents. It's something that many of them look forward to.
"His playing and his singing and his knowledge of music helps me in my heart, in my soul," said Betty Watson, one of the residents.
Watson started living at Brightview eight months ago. She is just one of the residents that you can find tapping or moving along to the music.
"When you come in and he starts to play and everyone sings and moves, you feel much more content and happy. I think the music hour is a wonderful thing to do every day," said Maureen Herfel, another resident.
That's the exact feeling Avitabile wants the residents to have.
"It's a relationship. If you're just going to play and announce your songs, how is that a whole lot different than having background music? You've got to find whatever it is. If it means you have to be mobile, be mobile," he said.
Douglas Riggs, another resident at Brightview, said he doesn't consider himself a “musical” person, but he really enjoys the class.
"I learn a lot of new songs. His repertoire is amazing. He asks for requests every once in a while, and I have never yet heard him say 'I don't know that one.' He knows them all," Riggs said.
In his spare time, Avitabile also drives residents to their medical appointments.
