Hi Anne-Marie, Thank you for such an insightful and informative post! I know that many caregivers struggling with taking care of loved ones with dementia will find this useful. Christmas songs are a great idea, as we all have deeply rooted memories tied to holiday tunes. As you say, music CAN make the dementia journey more manageable. We have been talking about this topic a lot on our blog and social media sites and have received comments and interaction from people who are trying to make sense of how they can restore some light back into their “fading” loved one. I think your advice of staying patient and accepting the situation is invaluable, and is key to helping an aging loved one (and yourself) through their dementia. Have a wonderful holiday!
I am mesmerized by the idea of specially-treated tunes for those with dementia. Anytime something new is discovered to bring joy to these sufferers thrills me especially since my mother has vascular dementia.
Yes, it can make a big difference. My brother, who had Parkinson's, had been a professional classical singer, had a favorite opera video that he watched a lot-almost daily.. I sing with a small group that goes out to care facilities with traditional hymns and country gospel, and find that most of our audiences (and the staff members) really enjoy what we do. At one place, there was a resident that had been unresponsive all day, even with family visitors, and something we sang broke through to her. We've been doing it for several years, and get asked back often. One place we've been asked back to is a facility for severely disabled children. In one of our Christmas caroling gigs, we added a non-Christmas song that one of the residents had requested on an earlier visit, and she was very moved. I've known of folks with AD who find that George Beverly Shea's recordings are very meaningful.
Music is magic! Mom in the late stages of AD can sing many songs from " her day". It is now our primary way of communicating as she can only put a few words together now. Medications have stopped working but her iPod and headset keeps her calm and happy throughout the day.
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A Christmas Album Designed for People with Alzheimer's
Thank you for such an insightful and informative post! I know that many caregivers struggling with taking care of loved ones with dementia will find this useful. Christmas songs are a great idea, as we all have deeply rooted memories tied to holiday tunes. As you say, music CAN make the dementia journey more manageable. We have been talking about this topic a lot on our blog and social media sites and have received comments and interaction from people who are trying to make sense of how they can restore some light back into their “fading” loved one. I think your advice of staying patient and accepting the situation is invaluable, and is key to helping an aging loved one (and yourself) through their dementia. Have a wonderful holiday!