Awakenings: Using Music As Therapy

Why do certain songs make us tap our feet? And why do we start singing along when we hear a familiar melody?
Few things in life spur emotions more powerfully than music. Songs can evoke laughter, tears, or nostalgic feelings that transport the listener to a different place and time. Studies have even shown that music can reduce stress and create a sense of well-being. So it’s no surprise that Music Therapy is now being used in the treatment of patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“That song brings back memories.”
A recent documentary, called Alive Inside, chronicles how music can awaken deeply hidden emotions in patients suffering from various forms of dementia. In one poignant scene, a 92-year-old man who is barely able to respond to simple questions comes to life when he hears music from his past playing through headphones. As if transformed, he begins to move rhythmically in his wheelchair, and lucidly expresses his feelings about music. When prompted, he even sings a verse of his favorite Cab Calloway song.
Experiences like this are not uncommon. Researchers and health care professionals are discovering that when all other means of communication shut down, music still has the power to make people remember and respond. In addition, there is evidence that music therapy can slow the progress of Alzheimer’s and relieve pain.
An organization called Music & Memory has conducted research in elder care facilities indicating that residents exposed to music are happier and more social. There are benefits for caregivers as well — including a calmer social environment, fewer behavior management issues, and im¬proved relationships between staff, residents, and families.
So why is music so therapeutic?
Even for those suffering from dementia, recognizable melodies can reach parts of the brain that haven’t been damaged by the disease. For instance, memories of your mother singing to you as a baby, or a melody you learned to play on an instrument at a young age, are stored for¬ever in a specific part of your brain. The right musical cue can trigger the emotional response that restores those memories.
A love of music never dies. It is something people can continue to appreciate long after they’ve retired, or when physical limitations prevent them from enjoying other ac¬tivities. If you have loved ones struggling with dementia, re-introduce them to their favorite songs — and it just may awaken emotions you thought were gone forever.
For more information on music as therapy, visit:
– www.aliveinside.us
– www.musicandmemory.org
Article brought to you by Genesis HealthCare, one of the nation’s largest skilled nursing care providers with more than 400 skilled nursing centers and assisted living residences in 28 states nationwide. Genesis also supplies rehabilitation therapy to over 1,500 healthcare providers in 46 states. For more information, please call the Genesis CareLine at 866-745-CARE or visit www.genesishcc.com.
Copyright Genesis HealthCare 2014.