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A woman at DH's memory care sings compulsively and claps along with it. She doesn't do it all the time. She loves it if others clap and sing with her. The songs seem to be old-time country songs, and she told me that when she was a child, she and the other kids in her family would go outside and play games to go with the songs.

Her speech is not all that great, but she can still talk haltingly.
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Reply to Fawnby
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Has she been diagnosed with dementia? Can you talk to her Dr about it?

I knew of two people with frontotemporal dementia who did similar. One did a type of grunting combined with humming most of the time. The more agitated he was, the louder it would get. Like if he was watching sports on TV and one team scored, he would increase it.

The other was entirely nonverbal and did a kind of whistling combined with high pitched whining all the time. It sounded kind of like a teapot.

Both cases drove their caretakers crazy with it. One found that offering him gum would make him pause for a little while. The other wore noise-canceling headphones a lot while she was around him.

i have also read that stroke victims sometimes lose their ability to talk but some can still sing. So they can be taught songs for “I’m hungry” or “I need to go to the bathroom” or whatever.

All this to say, brain disorders can definitely manifest this way.
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Reply to Suzy23
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My thought is if she's singing at least she is happy in her own little world. Why would that bother you? Do you not want your mom happy in whatever world she's now living in?
When someone has dementia it's important for family members and friends to remember that they must now live in the demented persons world and not expect them to live in yours.
Things will be much easier for you if you remember that.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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Bulldog54321 May 3, 2025
I get the impression on that she never stops.
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From Google :

Constant or excessive singing in individuals with dementia, known as Dementia-Associated Compulsive Singing (DACS), is a behavioral disturbance characterized by an unrelenting melodic expression. While previously linked to dopamine dysregulation syndrome in Parkinson's disease, DACS has also been observed in non-PD patients, according to a study on PubMed. This behavior is often associated with the severity of cognitive and functional impairment, rather than a specific dementia subtype. 

Elaboration:
Nature of DACS:
DACS is a form of repetitive vocalization that is not related to a loss of ability to speak or understand, but rather a compulsion to sing or hum continuously. 
Possible Causes:
DACS is thought to be related to changes in the brain's neurotransmitter systems, particularly the dopamine system, and may be associated with damage to the frontal lobe and other brain areas involved in language and emotional regulation. 
Impact:
While DACS can be disruptive, it's important to understand that it is a symptom of the underlying dementia and not a choice made by the person. 
Link to Cognitive and Functional Impairment:
DACS is often observed in individuals with more advanced stages of dementia, where cognitive and functional abilities are significantly impacted. 
Importance of Understanding:
Recognizing DACS as a behavioral manifestation of dementia is crucial for providing appropriate care and support to individuals with this condition. 
Musical Intervention:
Music therapy can be a valuable tool in managing behaviors associated with dementia, including DACS, by tapping into areas of the brain that are still functioning and helping to activate emotional and cognitive networks. 
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Reply to lealonnie1
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