Our Story
In 2014, Carol Rosenstein watched as her husband Irwin, a once-vibrant lawyer and pianist, slipped away due to Parkinson's disease and dementia. As communication became increasingly difficult, hope seemed lost—until Irwin sat at the piano and began to play.
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With each note of familiar melodies, he transformed, regaining his spark and spirit. Inspired by this miraculous moment and the insights of his neurologist on music's power to change brain chemistry, Carol founded Music Mends Minds, to share this extraordinary healing through music with others facing neurodegenerative challenges, igniting a movement that would impact countless lives.
1985
​Carol and Irwin met and fell in love.
2006
Irwin was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2006, which later digressed into dementia. Carol and Irwin felt their lives slipping away while dealing with the adversities of Parkinson’s Disease and early dementia.
2014
Carol enrolls Irwin in the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patient Care program. When he began playing the piano for participating students and adults, something miraculous happened. Within just weeks, it was clear that playing music empowered Irwin, who became more aware, responsive, confident, energetic, talkative and hopeful. Hope and life came back into their home after Irwin’s passion for music was reignited. Carol consulted with their neurologist who explained that “music may help stimulate increases in dopamine secretion from the brain for more sustained levels of energy and happiness.”
August
2024
After witnessing the dramatic transformation in Irwin’s condition through playing music and recognizing how many people are suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, Carol knew she had to share her story. Inspired by Irwin and having always been a “fix-it” girl, Carol launched MMM and the organization’s inaugural band, The 5th Dementia. Soon, the caregivers and doctors of other band members began reporting substantial improvements as well.
2015
PBS recognized the wonders of Music's work in the mind with a special segment in News Hour focused on the magical music of the 5th Dementia Band and the wonderful work of Carol and Music Mends Minds!
2018
CNN visits Carol for the first time, recognizing the magical healing work of MMM. Carol is nominated for and receives the CNN Heroes award!
2019
The 5th Dementia Flagship band is invited to play their 5th live concert at the Sheraton Gateway by LAX. They share with everyone watching the power of musical healing!
2020
The Coronavirus pandemic takes the world by storm, Music Mends Minds shines through the clouds. CNN visits hero Carol for a second time! This time over zoom. MMM shows them how to keep singing and rocking online!
2021
"The Music Mile," MMM's new theme song, was written by award-winning Broadway composer Larry Hochman, alongside Nick Stephens, Megan Peterson, and Benedict Braxton-Smith. The 5th Dementia and other bands begin closing rehearsals each week with this joyful tune!
2022
Music Mends Minds, a long time Rotarian organization, makes the cover of the May 2022 magazine!
2023
A Music Mends Minds chapter was established at the University of California Los Angeles, where student volunteers can perform, sing, dance, and help individuals afflicted with neurodegenerative diseases at the 4 in-person bands around Los Angeles and over Zoom!
2024
Safe to say the 5th Dementia and other bands have bounced back from the pandemic and are back in live action! Here is a clip of the 5th Dementia rehearsing "Twist and Shout" by the Beatles in person at Brentwood Presbyterian Church.
New musical groups and sessions are running under the Rotary Club of Tokyo Hiroo, the only bilingual Rotary club in Tokyo. They working on creating four in-person music groups in community senior centers around the city by the end of this year.
Present
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New bands are being formed both nationally and internationally by people who have been inspired by our story. Intergenerational support has been proven to help prevent isolation and stimulate cognitive functioning, keeping seniors integrated with society and engaged in social life to help prevent the progression of dementia. Music Mends Minds continues to foster the development of bands and choirs of seniors with students to help forestall the progression of diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and related dementias.
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