Old Man In Nursing Home Reacts To Hearing Music From His Era
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Music Therapy Brings Dementia Patients ‘Back to Life’
Deborah Brauser – August 23, 2012. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/769657
The surprising popularity of a 6-minute video uploaded to YouTube last spring (2012), is bringing enthusiastic attention to music therapy programs as a possible way to improve symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia.
With more than 10 million views (March 2015 update), the clip features “Henry,” an elderly man with dementia who is first shown slumped over in his chair, barely acknowledging those around him. But after headphones are slipped on him, he instantly lights up and becomes more animated, even humming along with the music.
A program known as Music and Memory was created by former social worker Dan Cohen as a way to “awaken” memories in these patients through the use of personalized music selections played on mp3 players. A documentary about him and the program, entitled Alive Inside, is currently in production; it is a video clip from this documentary that garnered unbelievable attention.
More dramatically, after the headphones are taken off, he is shown being able to answer questions and even sings snippets of his favorite songs.
“This is not a cure, but we are increasing patients’ level of engagement,” Dan Cohen told Medscape Medical News. He reports that now in 2012, the program is currently being used in 50 nursing homes in 15 states and in Canada — although his goal is to eventually reach homes all across North America.
Going Viral: For a disorder that has no cure and few popular treatments, the Music and Memory program has sparked great enthusiasm, no doubt in large part because of the viral video.
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More Information articles:
http://www.alzfdn.org/EducationandCare/musictherapy.html Cached
As individuals progress into late-stage dementia, music from their childhood, such as folk songs, work well. … How-to of music therapy:
http://www.webmd.com › … › Alzheimer‘s Disease Health Center
Art and music therapy can improve the quality of life … medical Alzheimer’s therapies like art, music, … mental and physical activity in Alzheimer’s patients.
http://www.alz.org › Caregiver Center › Daily Care
Music and art therapy can enrich the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and … Use these tips when selecting music for a person with dementia: Identify music that’s …
http://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/best-music–for-dementia–patient… Cached
Music and Memory is a nonprofit group that’s promoting music therapy. They’ve undertaken the “iPod Project” in an effort to get music to seniors with dementia …
www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/MT_Alzheimers_2006.pdf
I think that music therapy and music therapists are crucial and … Music therapy with Alzheimer’s patients and their family caregivers: a pilot project.
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/remind-music-app-helps…
Actually “Alive Inside” isn’t about music therapy at all. The director was contacted by the music therapy community in 2 countries about using the film as a starting …
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-t-miller/music-therapy-for… Cached
Aug 19, 2013 · Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about music therapy for Alzheimer’s patients? I’m helping my dad take care of my 80-year-old mother, who has mid …
http://www.parentgiving.com/…/music-as-a…in-alzheimers–patients Cached
Music therapy has been shown to improve communications skills in people with Alzheimer’s disease. This may be due to its effect on secretions of certain brain …
brainblogger.com/2012/12/07/music-therapy-for-the… Cached
It has been said that music can help heal the soul. Now this old saying has transferred its healing powers onto improving memory-based interventions for the Alzheimer …
