I’ve often coached my elder law clients on how to connect with a loved one with Alzheimer’s. One of the things I suggest is music. My theory is that it is something in their long term memory that they could relate to a longer period of time
Tony Bennett’s family recently announced that the 94-year-old was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer‘s way back in 2016.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. It damages parts of the brain involved in memory, intelligence, judgment, language, and behaviour.
According to AARP‘s profile, Bennett is still capable of recognizing his friends and family and has been spared some of the worst symptoms of Alzheimer‘s — such as episodes of rage, terror and depression. His wife and caregiver say that he is “not always sure where he is or what is happening around him” and that “mundane objects as familiar as a fork or a set of house keys can be utterly mysterious to him.”
In the midst of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Bennett has still successfully pursued l, on music career, going on tour as recently as 2019 with his next concert in March..According to the Mayo Clinic, music can also help those with Alzheimer’s. Especially late stages, relieve stress, reduce anxiety and depression, and reduce agitation. Families are encouraged to give their family member an electronic device that will let them revisit those songs,
But still – how is it possible that Bennett has been able to give
live performances for four years
without even a hint that he has Alzheimer’s?
It turns out that The link between music and the disease and that music is a
could be a key therapy for those with the disease.
Look at the story of a ballerina, Marta Cinta González Saldaña, González is in a video filmed in 2019, It shows González, who had Alzheimer’s for many years, recognizing Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and performing parts of what she had once danced to back in the 1960s. According to Yale University. It’s possible that González was able to recall her “Swan Lake” choreography because it was learned at a young age, Long-term memories, are generally less affected in earlier stages of the disease because the older a memory is, the more firmly established it is in a person’s mind.
However, there’s something else at play here too:
Alzheimer’s disease’s effect on musical memory may be very different…
Musical memory is considered to be “partly independent” from other memory systems, or how the brain organizes memories, according to a 2015 study in the journal Brain. This”may explain the surprising preservation of musical memory in Alzheimer’s disease.” Yale School of Medicine, adds that the memory associated with music is less vulnerable than other parts of the brain heavily affected by Alzheimer’s.
For some time, Alzheimer’s researchers have thought that the areas of the brain that help us with musical memory are not affected by Alzheimer’s until very, very late in the process.. So this too could have played a key role in González’s recall of her “Swan Lake” choreography.
Music can also play a key role in therapy for those with Alzheimer’s or other neurodegenerative diseases. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, music “may reduce agitation and improve behavioural issues” in those with the disease, and can evoke happy memories.
“It’s important to make every effort to connect with people for the quality of life of the patient, family members, and the caregiver” says Dr. Cole from Yale University. . “Music is one of the best ways to do it.”
Isn’t this fascinating! So pull out the old music for Grandma and have fun. I suggest ice cream as well!
