Relatives of dementia patients say that music can sometimes bring out lucidity and focus in family members who are at an advanced stage of the disease
Ynet reports that many relatives of Alzheimer's patients try to find ways to communicate with them and find it difficult to have deep and meaningful conversations as they once did before the onset of the disease. Now, one particularly interesting way that can allow for continued communication with patients is found in music.
"Relatives learn to communicate with the patient through music," says Dr. Nati Blum, a social worker and head of the Israeli Alzheimer's Association. "Many times it’s impossible to communicate with patients, and it’s very frustrating, but as soon as they start to sing, something happens, almost like magic."
Michal Gringlick, a 27-year-old singer and songwriter from Tel Aviv discovered by chance that her grandmother Miriam, who suffers from the disease, responds and cooperates when she sings songs from the classic film The Sound of Music.
"I believe that music is a language, and sometimes it can be the clearest way for one to express themselves. Today, I can play my grandmother a sad song from the past, and she could cry because the words and sounds are familiar to her. She also responds accordingly to happy songs. I know that the disease won’t disappear and that she’ll forget even more, but I have learned to live with it.
Dr. Ayelet Dassa, a senior lecturer at Bar Ilan University’s Music Therapy program, has known for years that music can be a means of connecting with people dealing with dementia.
"Studies indicate that the ability to respond to music is preserved even in advanced stages of the disease, and that a person with dementia can respond to music, enjoy it, and even participate in singing," she explained.
"The songs help awaken preserved memories and encourage the person to engage in conversation. Shared singing helps us create a connection with the person and feel a sense of connection. As part of the Israeli Alzheimer's Association, we conduct various projects for people with dementia and their families that incorporate music.
The goal is to show that people suffering from dementia have a whole world inside of them, one that also includes music.”
Source - Ynet/Twitter - Image - Shutterstock