This is so true - the retention of the memory of music in dementia is simply amazing. Another creative tool for enhancing memory and quality of life for someone with dementia is by creating a memory book.

Yes, I had mentioned a few weeks ago and I agree that it was one of the most interesting and moving documentaries I've seen. I highly recommend it if you have Netflix. If not, you might check at your local library or a video store (if you can find one left).

If anyone has not mentioned this already, I highly recommend the documentary film "ALIVE INSIDE." This is one of the most moving testimonies to the power of music I have ever seen. It is available on Neflix streaming and I am sure there are trailers on YouTube if not the whole thing.

Amen! I think music is the best therapy for Alzheimers patients because no one has to speak and the loved one gets to simply enjoy a familiar song or comforting music.
My mother loved her Mexican music so much that she would look forward to it at bedtime.
Without music, there would have been more difficult and exhausting nights.
My mother even danced with friends to the mariachi music when it was difficult to walk.
Thank you for the uplifting and practical article.

I have always had a love of music which I got from my father and I learn to play on a pump organ on our farm. I know a lot of old songs from old time, classic country, faith songs because I sang in a church choir for most of my life, and many more as I did have some lessons when my husband bought me my first electric organ. I have always wanted to share my love of music as I did with my children. My daughter told me about her friends mother whose has memory loss and said she would respond to old hymns. I have been practicing more lately and hope I can find a way to give away my love of music. My daughter gave me a plaque years ago that said God gives the heart a voice to sound its joy and calls it Music. I express so many feelings with music.

Good for you partsmom. I see the same thing at my mom's facility about how the people love the songs they grew up with. I for one really appreciate the groups that come to entertain for all places. It IS appreciated by the staff and the family members as well. Whenever I hear a song that moves someone, it also moves me a little to tears because I know for that moment the person "remembers". A big Thank You goes out to all church choirs, entertainers, school choirs, boy/girl scout groups etc. Heck, if I could carry a tune I would be doing this also. Unfortunately my mom did not pass that gene down to me. :)

I sing with a small group that goes out to care facilities and does programs of old favorites--hymns, country gospel, spirituals, requests. We get very good responses and are asked back. There is often at least one person in the audience that really responds to an old favorite, and often it's someone who has been unresponsive. We've been doing more classic country music and they love it. There's one place we go that is a children's care center for bedridden and chairbound children, and they do respond. We notice that the staff at the places we go really appreciate it as well. Not everyone attends our programs, but those who do want us to come back.

I have read about all kinds of different music therapies for dementia/Alzheimer's. There is a documentary that touched me the most though. It is on Netflix and worth watching. Hard at times but amazing. I tried it with my mom. First time I got a reaction. Second time a little less. Might have been the day or who knows. But I will keep trying it. Not a cure, but just a helpful tool to help their minds be calm in a confusing time. If you can please do watch: Alive Inside. Developed by Dan Cohen. He has worked hard and diligently with doctors, politicians and memory care facilities to integrate music into these people's lives. His organization is Aliveinside.org. Again, please watch if you can.

Excellent article! I am a true believer in the power of music to soothe dementia and Alzheimer's sufferers. My father-in-law, who was in the advanced stages, would sometimes get agitated for no particular reason. I would immediately begin to sing to him, in particular he loved God Bless the Child. He would instantly calm down and settle into a peaceful, restful mood. I loved the wonderful feeling that would come over me as I watched what it was doing for him too. Music is indeed a powerful 'medicine'.

I use the nano iPod loaded with Frank Sinatra, Big Band & Tangos by Carlos Gardel. It makes her happy. I ajust the volume and clip it high so she can't touch the buttons.

Great article! It validates what I've done with my mom -- putting on music at night. Our cable company has a group of commercial-free music channels. After her sundowners' started getting bad, I found 'Singers and Swing' which plays a lot of music my mom danced to as a young adult. While we don't use it every night, it does seem to help. Sometimes I also use it during the day.