As a caregiver for someone with dementia, you may be
wondering what gift to give your loved one for the
holidays. Have you considered the gift of music this
holiday season?
In my fifteen years of experience as a therapeutic
musician, I have led countless musical sing-along
programs for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other
forms of dementia. During these programs, I often
witness music’s power to unlock memories. My
students remember the melody and lyrics of old familiar
songs as well as the life experiences that the music
evokes. I find this to be true for all stages of
the disease and current research confirms my experience.
One of my students, Edie, is 85 and has
mid-to-late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. She rarely
speaks, but when I played “Home on the Range” on the
piano, she went from sitting quietly to becoming quite
animated. Edie shouted, “I had a horse named
Buddy.” This type of reaction to familiar music no
longer surprises me. Music can bring dramatic
behavioral changes, encourages socialization, and
improves the overall wellbeing of those with dementia.
Research confirms the benefits music has for Alzheimer’s
patients. It has been reported that singing on a daily
basis will raise the brain chemicals melatonin,
epinephrine and norepinephrine in our blood levels, thus
positively affecting our mental state. Testing of
patients with dementia who sing daily shows that these
elevated blood chemicals help them to become more
active, more cooperative, less agitated and often
improves their ability to sleep.
With the strong evidence of the positive benefits of
music and singing, wouldn’t it be wonderful if your
loved one could sing every day? There are a
variety of ways to bring old favorite music into their
lives. Your local public library is a good resource for
borrowing free musical CDs and old movies or operas on
DVD. There are a number of music and sing-along programs
on the market that can be purchased through senior
product catalogs and Web sites. You might also consult
your local skilled nursing facility’s activity director
for suggestions and ideas about their favorite musical
activity program.
As the holidays approach, I encourage you to consider a
musical gift for your loved one. I know you will
be happy you did, as it will be beneficial and enjoyable
for them, and it may give you some well-deserved respite
time.
Barbara Jacobs, M.S., is a therapeutic musician who has taught music
classes at long-term care facilities for 15 years. Her sing-along DVD programs
are available at www.FrontRowSeatVideos.com.
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