Posted by Kathy Burnes

I heard the Radio Boston story about a man with Alzheimer's who sings with the Tremble Clefs choral group for people with Parkinson's disease that Jewish Family & Children's Service (JF&CS) runs in the community. I've also been following the Fade to Darkness stories, several of which have highlighted the role that music plays in people's lives. I am someone for whom singing is central to my life. I'm involved with the JF&CS arts-based programming for people and their families dealing with chronic disease. The recent series on WBUR confirms that JF&CS plans to expand its singing and dancing programs will be key to helping people find joy while living with and managing chronic disease."

Kathy Burnes is project manager of the JF&CS Geriatric Institute, which focuses on developing and implementing projects that translate research into community-based services. Prior to coming to JF&CS in 2007, she worked as a senior research associate at Boston College's Center for Corporate Citizenship, and at the National Center on Women and Aging at Brandeis University. Kathy also worked for AARP and Operation ABLE of Greater Boston. She has a BA from the University of Michigan and a MEd from Northeastern University.