“Music is part of being human.…. it’s very ubiquity may cause it to be trivialized in daily life; we hum a tune, tap our feet, find the words of an old song going through our minds, and think nothing of it.  But to those who are lost in dementia, the situation is different.  Music is no luxury to them, but a necessity,and can have a power beyond anything else to restore them to themselves, and to others, at least for a while.”    Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia

Down Memory Lane - Sing Along Sessions

Music is good medicine for people living with Alzheimer’s disease, and especially for those in the later stages of the disease. 

When the spoken word may no longer be accessible to them, they can often sing every word to a song from their youth.   Some that can no longer feed themselves, are still able to beat out a steady rhythm on a drum.  I can only imagine the feelings of grounding and stability this must bring to them.  For these reasons, music is an effective tool in which to engage and empower, perhaps it is the best communicator of all (after hand holding of course!)  Scientists do not yet understand why music is not lost to those with Alzheimer's, but there is lots of research going on to find out why.

Over my years of recreational music making with those with Alzheimer's disease I have noticed many benefits which include creating: a sense of comfort and security, a sense of joy and happiness, reduction in anxiety and agitation - positive mood changes (improved rapport with staff, family members and other residents), emotional release, cognitive benefits - remembering words, melody, rhythm, a sense of belonging, social engagement, a sense of empowerment, success and accomplishment.

Songs often help trigger other memories - resulting in a joke or rhyme that the resident shares with others.

Perhaps the most wonderful benefit of all is to give the person with Alzheimer’s and their family member an opportunity to enjoy an activity together.  This is something which is rare, especially as the disease progresses.  There is nothing quite as heart-warming as to see a resident reach for their spouses hand while they sing “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” together.  

MUSIC IN LONG TERM CARE ·        

Barb who is often agitated and sometimes cries for hours stops crying and is comforted when I start playing and singing. ·        

Johnny, who can’t tell you what day it is – knows every Elvis song plus which movie it’s from.  During our sing along’s he shares this information with me.  It makes him happy – for him music creates joy – it’s reassuring when he hears something he recognizes. ·         

Mary, who constantly paces, will remain engaged for the entire hour of music.  The sing along helps to keep residents seated or engaged in an activity - they become alert and aware - music presents opportunities for them to stay connected to the world around them.  This engagement also frees up the nurses so they can get their work done.  ·       

Ruth is quite feisty, and can be aggressive.  With a twinkle in her eye, Ruth often corrects my words to an old song when I mess up!  This boosts her confidence and always makes her laugh.  For her, the music serves as a distraction from her day to day frustrations, and makes her happier and more cooperative. ·        

Music stimulates imagination – sometimes they remember a joke, or a memory – They have opportunity to “give back” to the group.  Paul often makes a joke – “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” becomes “It’s a Long Way to Tickle Mary”.  This same man, who loves to sing, sometimes will not leave his room to come for supper.  I have gone into his room and started singing “It’s A Long Way to Tipperary”, he’ll join in and then follow me to the dining room.  This is an easy way for PSW’s to get music loving residents to cooperate with them! ·       

Sing along’s give residents a chance to do something “together” – dementia causes much isolation – singing creates community because most of them can participate – one day Michael, Laura and Rita recited all 4 lines of “Sing A Song of Sixpence” in unison after every song with much enthusiasm and pride.  ·       

Music helps residents communicate feelings.  Joanna, who can no longer speak, will reach for her caregivers hand and look into his eyes when I play “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.”  It’s wonderful to see these connections happening.  It’s great for a spouse or family member to find an activity they can enjoy and participate in together- often see hand holding, arms around each other, sometimes even dancing.  Sometimes it’s the only way they can communicate.   

Nursing staff in long term care will often see their residents in a whole new light, as they seem to come alive with music.   They get a glimpse of who the residents were before the disease took over.    Music lightens up the whole atmosphere – often PSW’s will sing along as they pass by, or sometimes even take the hand of one of the residents for a quick dance to the music.  Being a PSW is a very tough job, I think this helps lighten their load!

“Aim of music for people with dementia seeks to address the emotions, cognitive powers, thoughts and memories, the “surviving self“ of the patient, to stimulate these and bring them to the fore.  It aims to enrich and enlarge existence, to give freedom, stability, organization and focus.  This might seem a very tall order - nearly impossible, one would think, seeing patients with advanced dementia…… But music with such patients is possible because musical perception, musical sensibility, musical emotion, and musical memory can survive long after other forms of memory have disappeared.  Music of the right kind can serve to orient and anchor a patient when almost nothing else can.” Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia

Contact:  Joanne Does    519-764-9505    jdoes764@gmail.com