July 13, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Magical Memories Restored With Music:

With great love and compassion, Santa Monica resident Cathleen Crone is regularly around the city, gently coaxing local seniors stricken with Alzheimer’s and dementia to a secure and comforting place in their past, one of jubilance.

For more than ten years, Crone has served Santa Monica hospitals, nursing and rehabilitation facilities

She also spends time spreading joy at convalescent centers including Ocean Villa, Bella Mar, Sunrise Senior Living, Berkeley Hall East and West, Goldstar Nursing and Rehabilitation, Ocean Park Residences I & II, Country Villa, and Santa Monica Pavilion, as well as private residences outfitted with In Home Nursing Care.

Here she engages the elderly with artistic subject matter that they found joyous and rewarding during their healthy years when they were equipped with proper brain function.

“This is an enriching and enabling journey for those whose memories have become imprisoned and constrained,” Crone said. “These sessions are facilitated by the gentle sounds and overtones that are produced while ringing a unique configuration of Malmark Handbells, mounted upon a rack, so as to become a percussion instrument.”

Crone said patients and residents that she comes across respond positively to the routine and always recognize and remember her ample vocal prowess.

“By bringing performance, music therapy, bell ringing, hand percussion, light hand and arm movement, sittercise exercise for the wheelchair bound, breathing exercises, singing and reciting of verse and prose, to the residents, I’m navigating their overall mood, achieving happiness, proclaiming smiles, and empowering interaction,” Crone said.

Crone said they laughed and engaged while participating in her light comedic routines and karaoke sessions.

“Those who regularly do not speak suddenly join in singing the correct lyrics to songs of their era, including multiple verses, flawlessly,” she said. “Testimony comes about freely and mantras are recited beautifully and interesting banter for discussion becomes plentiful.”

Crone said a miraculous event took place in August this year at Goldstar Nursing Facility in Santa Monica.

She said shortly after she arrived one day in early August and began her specialized handbell therapy for a patient who was prone, bedridden, visibly paralyzed, she said the patient began to “keep perfect time” with his feet to the beat of the music generated by her handbells.

The Malmark Handbell, which Crone uses as her tool for reaching and unlocking memories, has been manufactured in Plumsteadville, PA by Malmark, Inc. since 1969.

The Malmark Handbell is the brainchild of Jacob Malta, who passed away peacefully in his home in New Britain, PA on Aug. 9, 2010.

As an inventor and patent owner of all existing Malmark, Inc. handbells in the United States, Malta continued creating and improving upon his products until two weeks before his death.

It was with his blessing that Crone began formulating a specialized music therapy with this handbell invention, directly targeting those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia related disorders.

“Genuinely it is an overabundant privilege to be able to navigate the reclamation and recovery of memories lost, by promoting advancement of quality of life for these, our seniors, pillars of our community, intricate, handicapped gems of our populace and territory,” Crone said with an infectious smile and decisive demeanor.

Crone is seeking awareness and funds to make possible a clinical trial study program to define the measurable benefits of the use of the handbells and music therapy, upon the Brain of The Alzheimer’s Patient, to be conducted at Saint John’s Hospital in Santa Monica.

To become involved and to pose additional questions, contact Cathleen Crone by email at cathleencrone@earthlink.net or phone 310.390.1969.

in News
<>Related Posts

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...

SMPD Launch New Recruitment Website Amid High Vacancy Rates

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The site features multimedia content, including day-in-the-life videos and officer profiles, highlighting the impact of serving the community The Santa...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...