Article: Dementia vs. Music

[billybob]

Have posted awhile back about the connection of studies showing the overall benefits of music as we age.

May as well keep the idea alive after seeing recent interest continue. Thanks:

 

https://dana.org/article/could-music-therapy-ease-the-worlds-dementia-crisis/

[Racer X]

Thanks, billybob.  Um, did you read this article ?  😀

 

My twin uncles both suffered Oldtimer's.  One, one of the happiest, smartest most comedic people you would ever hope to meet ( he was a well respected Pediatrician in the area ) rapidly declined and then became downright unpleasant, mad, and bitter.

 

His twin succumbed years later, and while he has virtually no memory whatsoever, he remains the most pleasant, sweetest person he always was.  Grateful he still recognizes me and always seems happy to see me, yet it is impossible to carry any conversation of any depth, he always replies with his canned responses.

 

I once played for him some music he favored, The Inkspots, and he did not respond at all.

 

Unrelated side note:  One's sense of smell is most likely to stimulate long forgotten memories of the past, your olfactory sense is closest to your brain.

 

Close with it made me realize we are really just a bunch of memories, without those one could easily lose oneself.

[billybob]

Lol, yes I decided to read it. Yes I find it an interesting topic.

My mother sure liked her music. Just guessing that we intuitively know this positive effect without having to think about it, naturally.

Thanks for that, and aromatherapy plays a part, no doubt.

@Racer X

[grasshopper]

At 100, my grandmother was basically unresponsive....

.... until you put music on. Then she would light up and sing along

[billybob]

Very cool @grasshopper...!

[Marvel]

My wife (and me) work at a facility with people of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. She had special training on working with dementia clients, and had a classroom with a number of great folks.

 

We also have a music program to include as many clients as possible and involve them.

[Dave A]

On 8/9/2022 at 10:58 AM, Racer X said:

Unrelated side note:  One's sense of smell is most likely to stimulate long forgotten memories of the past, your olfactory sense is closest to your brain.

I always thought beans and cabbage were great stimulants.

[DizRotus]

I’ve mentioned it before, but I highly recommend the documentary, Alive Inside.  It’s right on topic.

 

The documentary is mentioned and linked, “2014 documentary” in the article linked in @billybob‘s original post.

[billybob]

May try that Dave...

Have heard of the documentary Neil... sure I'd remember if saw it on Netflix.

Thanks for the jog @DizRotus... remember seeing it now.

Edited August 11, 2022 by billybob

[OO1]

hmmm   Dementia or Rap  music .......tough question .

[Racer X]

Man, you haters of the rap need to....

 

I like to think that no matter the genre, there should be an example that represents the best of that genre that is at least palatable enough to understand what they are trying to relate. 

 

Not trying to convince anyone, but know that whatever your preferred genre is, there are lots of people who likewise despise it and wouldn't be caught dead anywhere near it.

 

Whose loss is that ?

[Racer X]

Also, one of the wisest quotes I've found:

 

Do not hate.  Hatred binds one to the hated object.

 

Perhaps a more enlightened approach may be just indifference.

[geoff.]

When my teenage boys were just little squirts they would often ask me if I liked a song that was playing.

 

Since the songs were almost always from my collection I would answer unbiasedly “if it makes you want to dance, tap your toes, smile, or takes you away to another place, it’s good”.

 

One of my favourite tunes at baby Jesus’s birthday is Run DMC’s Christmas In Hollis. Having said that, I don’t get Drake though...

[Marvel]

. I've been a bit suprised at how good of singers rappers are.

[Marvel]

Thinking about getting old, you should listen to John Prine's 'Hello in There'.

[Racer X]

56 minutes ago, Marvel said:

. I've been a bit suprised at how good of singers rappers are.

 

One of my favorite "rappers" is a Japanese lady, can't understand much of what she is saying ( but there is always some English ), but she has the gift of the flow. 

[Fish]

If I ever forget how to, or why I Rock n Roll, I hope death comes swiftly.....

[RealMarkDeneen]

Music and dementia, or Alzheimer's

 

I volunteered at an Alzheimer's Day Care Center for many years. I vividly recall one of my daily charges named "Bill." He was only about 70, and had been a trumpet player in the 1940s. He was very advanced in the disease. Could not recognize his wife or kids. Once threw his wife out of the house at 2am and locked the door. Very little verbal ability. Our main role as aides was to try and keep the clients entertained, occupied, busy for the 6 hour day to give their spouses and caretakers a "break".

 

I brought in an iPOD and headphones often to see how clients might react to music. Bill tried it once, and ripped the headphones right off when I pressed play -  he was really annoyed by the sound directly in his ear. I knew he was a musician, so one day, I just hummed the opening bars of Ellington's "Take the A-Train" and his eyes lit up, and he began humming the entire song as if he was playing. He smiled. I hummed another tune from the era, and he took right off on it. He knew these songs note for note and beat for beat. He  became my favorite client to entertain. It didn't change anything about his disease, but I wondered if he experienced the joy (internally) that seemed to show on his face. RIP "Bill"

[billybob]

11 minutes ago, NickB33 said:

My uncle has dementia, so I've already read about various ways o treatment. I was surprised when found out that Viagra may also revitalize the brain and improve memory. I thought about talking about it to a doctor and suggest as a treatment, but yesterday I double-checked the info and a new study found Viagra and Cialis do not reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and related dementias. Maybe music might be a good way out, I'll definitely try it. Thanks.

There is some confusion about the treatment. All kinds of misinformation, but, working on it.

Meanwhile, studies on music therapy for a while now. Grains of truth peppered by fake versus, treatments, etc...

There does exist a link with cognition and music from patient's past.

 

[Islander]

On 11/27/2022 at 4:33 PM, NickB33 said:

My uncle has dementia, so I've already read about various ways of treatment. I was surprised when found out that Viagra may also revitalize the brain and improve memory. I thought about talking about it to a doctor and suggest as a treatment, I even wanted to buy viagra online, but yesterday I double-checked the info and a new study found Viagra and Cialis do not reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and related dementias. Maybe music might be a good way out, I'll definitely try it. Thanks.

 

Sure, Viagra and Cialis can be helpful, but music has brought many more people into bed than they ever did.  And once in bed, it has enhanced many, many, experiences.