At the LaGrange County Council on Aging, music fills the room with connection, joy, and hope. For many older adults aging at home, depression, isolation, and even poor nutrition can become daily struggles. But thanks to Audiences Unlimited performances, seniors who might otherwise be isolated at home find themselves surrounded by friends, laughter, and the rhythm of live music.

“Seniors come with friends, meet new people, and enjoy the gift of community—something many missed deeply during the isolation of the COVID years,” said Cheri Perkins, executive director of the LaGrange Council on Aging.

In a very real sense, the performances weave into a larger network of wellness. A person coping with grief or struggling to eat well and care for themselves after losing a spouse, for instance, can find encouragement in the simple gift of being seen, heard, and welcomed.

“These seniors sometime struggle with a medical diagnosis, or PTSD or depression,” said Perkins, “but many of them simply face the challenge of isolation. These programs help them get on the right path to being better emotionally and mentally,” she said. “It’s all related.”

In many ways, Audiences Unlimited artists are not only talented performers but also compassionate companions. Staff at the Council on Aging often pause to listen as the music drifts through the building. “All the artists who perform for our seniors are good,” said Perkins. “We all wish we had more time to enjoy them ourselves.”

These concerts make each day brighter, offering “one more day we can provide something meaningful for our seniors to do,” Perkins shared. And thanks to support from the Olive B. Cole Foundation, this work continues to reach those who need it most. “We couldn’t offer this programming without the grant support,” said Perkins.

For seniors in LaGrange County, the gift of live music is more than entertainment—it’s nourishment for the soul, a remedy for loneliness, and a pathway back to community.