What a wonderful evening at Genesis Village! We were honored to host our Side By Side Concert for our residents and for seniors from throughout the community. It was a night filled with music, memories, and plenty of toe-tapping as we enjoyed so many classic songs we all know and love.
If you couldn’t join us, or you’re curious what senior living events at Genesis Village are like, here’s a recap of the evening — plus a look at why music programs like this one do so much more than entertain.
The Story Behind Side By Side
A special part of this tradition is the history behind the band. Our owner, Jim Oedy, started Side By Side more than 45 years ago and has been sharing his passion for music with senior communities ever since. His dedication to bringing joy through music and his faith has touched countless lives over the years, and we are grateful to continue that tradition here at Genesis Village.
That kind of longevity says something. Side By Side isn’t a one-off performance — it’s a decades-long commitment to the idea that music belongs in every stage of life, especially the later ones. Learn more about our approach to enriching senior life on our About Genesis Village page.
A Night to Remember
Residents and guests from throughout the community gathered for an evening of familiar melodies, sing-alongs, and shared stories. There’s nothing quite like great music, good friends, and a room full of smiles to bring people together — and this concert delivered on all three. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening.
Events like this one are part of a full calendar of programming we offer at Genesis Village. If you’d like to see what’s coming up next, visit our Events page, or schedule a tour to experience our community in person.
Why Music Matters So Much for Seniors
Nights like this aren’t just fun — they’re genuinely good for our residents’ health and well-being. A growing body of research backs up what we see on the dance floor every time Side By Side plays:
- Lower dementia risk. A large 2025 study of more than 10,800 Australian adults over age 70 found that those who “always” listened to music had a 39% lower risk of developing dementia, and those who regularly played an instrument had a 35% lower risk, compared with peers who rarely engaged with music (Neuroscience News, 2025; International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry study).
- Sharper memory and executive function. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that music-based interventions significantly improve global cognition, executive function, and memory in cognitively healthy older adults (Frontiers in Psychology, 2025).
- Multi-domain brain benefits. Research on lifelong musical activity shows that regular musical engagement can help older adults preserve higher-order cognitive abilities, with benefits reaching executive function, attention, language, visuospatial skills, and memory (bioRxiv, 2021).
- Mood, quality of life, and connection. A study comparing senior choir singers to non-singers found that choir participation was associated with better mood and quality of life, with cognitive and social benefits that grew the longer someone had been singing (PMC / NCBI, 2021).
- Real-world well-being gains. Research on active music-making in older adults found benefits across the board: sharper concentration and memory, increased vitality and mobility, and protection against stress and depression (Music for Life Project, PMC / NCBI).
For families considering senior living, these findings are a reminder that enrichment programming isn’t just a nice extra — it’s part of how a community supports whole-person health. To learn more about how we build wellness into daily life, visit our Life Enrichment page.
More Than a Concert
Events like the Side By Side Concert reflect what we value most at Genesis Village: connection, joy, and a genuine commitment to our residents’ quality of life. Whether it’s live music, community gatherings, or everyday moments shared between neighbors, we believe these experiences are just as important to senior living as care and comfort.
Interested in seeing what community life at Genesis Village looks like? Contact us to schedule a visit, or check out our upcoming events calendar to join us for the next one!
About Genesis Village
Welcome to the neighborhood you’ve been missing!
Genesis Village is a locally owned and family-operated independent senior living community in Northwest Ohio, thoughtfully designed for active adults who want freedom, comfort, and connection. Our vibrant community features 161 apartments, offering a variety of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans to fit every lifestyle.
We are proud to have earned 12 consecutive 5-Star awards from A Place for Mom—a reflection of our commitment to exceptional service, hospitality, and resident satisfaction.
At Genesis Village, our simple, all-inclusive rent means no hidden fees and no surprises. Monthly rent includes utilities, maintenance, and three freshly prepared meals every day, served buffet-style for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week. Residents also enjoy scheduled transportation, enriching activities, and full access to our resort-style amenities, including an indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, fitness center, movie theater, library, and beautiful gathering spaces.
More than just a place to live, Genesis Village is a community where relationships flourish, independence is celebrated, and every day is filled with opportunities to connect, relax, and enjoy life!
New residents can take advantage of our limited-time New Resident Move-In Specials of 50% OFF Your First 4 Months or Free 2nd Person Fee for 12 Months! Interested in a longer-term savings option? We also offer a 10-year rate lock as a move-in special. And with our month-to-month leases, there are no long-term commitments. Call now to find out more about these limited-time promotions! 📞 Call: (419) 720-1286 or 📧 Email: Sales@GenesisVillage.org
Not Ready to Move Yet? Ask About Community Membership
If you are not ready to move yet but would still like to enjoy the connection and community Genesis Village offers, ask us about our Community Membership Program.
Our membership program is a great way to experience parts of community life, enjoy select amenities, and get to know the welcoming atmosphere at Genesis Village before making a move.
To learn more about Genesis Village or our Community Membership Program, contact our team today.
