Music & Memory on San Juan Island

Alive Inside

"Alive Inside" brings to life the effect of music on people who have lost their connection to the world.  This stirring documentary follows social worker Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, as he fights against a broken healthcare system to demonstrate music's ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it. Thanks to an initial viewing at the 2015 Friday Harbor Film Festival, a group of residents united to bring this program to our island. If you are interested in watching the movie, check out the San Juan Island Library's offerings. It makes for great viewing and an uplifting vision of how ordinary people can make life better for others.

Our Music&Memory program

Music helps people with dementia-related behavior problems stay off of potentially dangerous medications, and greatly improves their (and their caregiver's) quality of life. It also enhances enjoyment of life for people who are confined to bed or home due to life-limiting conditions.
Partnering with Friday Harbor High School and San Juan Island Library, Hospice of San Juan's Music & Memory program hopes to bring joy and improved quality of life to many people. Our volunteers complete a 3-session training webinar offered by the national Music & Memory organization.  Additional training in specialized communication is offered to those interested.
This program benefits anyone in the community who needs a way to reconnect with happier times in life. If you know someone who would benefit from Music & Memory on San Juan Island, contact us:

You can help!

We need volunteers to help meet with people and put together play lists. We also could use more iPod shuffles, gift cards for Apple iTunes.
- Volunteer to meet with people in need of music and develop play lists (contact us!)
- Send an iTunes gift card by email to lccasjmusicandmemory@gmail.com
or by snail mail to
​Hospice of San Juan
PO Box 1434
Friday Harbor WA 98250
Your tax-deductible donation would help us purchase headphones, devices and music.  Donate now by clicking on the PayPal button at the bottom of this page, and let PayPal know that your donation is for Music & Memory