‘Got The Music In Me’
All my life, I can recall my Dad singing; and he passed his love of music on to his family. When he had a stroke at the age of 62, and lost his speech, the very first thing he tried to do in the hospital was to sing. It wasn’t in words, but as the sound came out of his mouth, one could recognize the old hymn he was trying to sing. It was amazing. This article by Cherie Henry and Diane Delaney, Advisors for Golden Placement Services, will give you an idea of how important music is during the senior years. If you need to find a living location for your aging parent or other senior, contact Golden Placement Services to find out how they can help you. My appreciation to Cherie and Diane for their willingness to provide the following article.
“With one in eight baby boomers expected to develop Alzheimer’s, care giving communities must continue to pursue ways to reach people where they are through music, art, athletics, pet therapy and even through the way we use language.
No truer example of how music can touch detached residents than in a YouTube video called, “Old Man in Nursing Home Reacts to Hearing Music from His Era” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKDXuCE7LeQ. (Get ready for the tear ducts to start flowing!) This video has been viewed over an astonishing 6 million times. Obviously, loved ones and care providers are actively engaged in learning more about inspiring therapies as an instrumental addition to their care giving programs.
“Measure of the Heart: Caring for a Parent with Alzheimer’s,” is a memoir by author, broadcaster and former jazz singer, Mary Ellen Geist. She writes she always found a song to sing to her father at the start or the end of his day.
“Music changed everything in the way I was able to communicate with my father,” she said. “It made him come alive. I don’t know how it worked in the brain, but music seemed to cue him to wake up; he would remember verses, sing entire songs. It elevated his mood, but when he was done he didn’t remember what he did.”
We have found that Retirement Communities of every level use music as a part of their regular programing, including Adult Care Homes, which most people are not aware of. The key being “from their era” or “age appropriate” music. The music must mean something to the people hearing it. Won’t it be interesting to see how that changes as the different generations age?
Finding a facility that suits your aging family member isn’t easy. It’s important to know what the facility offers in the way of opportunities to participate in daily activities or other interests. Utilizing an Advisor can provide the ability to compare facilities and what they offer, since the Advisor takes the time to know this information. As senior communities continue to embrace new ways of engaging their residents this makes it even more important to find out who is putting forth these programs.”
“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar” Helen Keller
