B Sharp

• 

  Logo

Inspiration

With nearly 10,000 individuals turning 65 each day, the US is experiencing rampant growth in the 65-plus demographic. Of this population, nine in ten seniors intend to age-in-place, or live independently in their current homes regardless of income or ability level. While being a self-sufficient senior citizen relieves the financial burdens of assisted living, it introduces both physical and psychological concerns of personal safety, increased risk of cognitive decline such as dementia, and heightened feelings of loneliness - all of which are exacerbated in a global pandemic.

Music and musical therapy offer a multitude of benefits for those of all ages, such as improving self-esteem, decreasing psychological distress, promoting empowerment, and lessening feelings of isolation. Researchers have also found music to be one of the most effective sources of stimulation in the auditory cortex and other brain areas, serving to place unique demands on the nervous system and reduce the incidence of dementia by up to 50 percent. Unfortunately, older populations have neglected to adopt musical therapy due to physical limitations and reduced accessibility.

As individuals age, the white matter degeneration in the frontal lobe decreases performance in executive function, speed of processing, and memory. Additionally, by the age of 65, approximately one in three people have some form of vision-reducing eye disease, and approximately 50% of this demographic reports doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Such physical limitations prevent this age group from accessing the array of advantages that learning an instrument can provide to the user.

Moreover, studies have shown that participating in leisure activities, such as developing a hobby in the arts, is positively correlated with decreased morbidity and increased overall well-being.

What it does

Through simplified learning resources and private lessons, B Sharp subscribers can leverage tools to easily learn to play an instrument and thwart the negative effects of aging-in-place. B Sharp is a musical subscription service intended for seniors who live at home, which aims to foster a sense of accomplishment and community while combating cognitive decline and loneliness. Subscribers have the option to rent a musical instrument of their choosing (keyboard, acoustic guitar, or electric guitar), along with senior-adapted learning materials, a personal instructor, and access to the B Sharp broader community.

Each instrument (keyboard, acoustic guitar, or electric guitar) and sheet music is modified to enable those with arthritis, vision impairments, and other conditions to properly learn to play a musical instrument without any physical or mental restrictions. Additionally, with each subscription, B Sharp will connect the user to a local musician for personal weekly or bi-weekly instruction. The private coach will facilitate the senior’s learning through step-by-step instruction, unlimited access to the B Sharp-modified song database, formulation of personal, attainable goals, and facilitation of peer-to-peer connections with other local B Sharp members.

Catering to the 13.8 million senior citizens aging in isolation in the United States, B Sharp not only increases access to learning musical instruments but also offers a community of like-minded individuals searching for a sense of belonging and accomplishment.

How we built it

Leveraging existing tools for website development, we designed an engaging and published website. Additionally, we corresponded with owners of existing musical technologies to fully develop an immersive and realistic solution at the intersection of technology, community, and learning.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

In the short period of time, we were able to effectively communicate a feasible solution to tackle the challenges associated with aging-in-place. We are proud that our concept takes into account the realities of the elderly population interfacing with technology while attempting to augment this relationship, enhance cognition, and facilitate community engagement.

What we learned

Throughout developing B Sharp, we grew keen on issues related to aging-in-place and recognized how deeply the 65-plus population has been affected by the isolation caused by COVID-19. Additionally, we have grown privy to the glaring benefits of music on psychosocial and behavioral tendencies.

What's next for B Sharp

In the future, our subscribers may look forward to a more expansive song database, a wider array of instruments, and connections within not only their local communities but also around the world.