“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato
No matter your age, music touches everyone. Science has confirmed that as humans, we are hard-wired to have a response to music. Whether you like jazz, classical, pop, rap, blues or a mixture of all styles, there is no doubt that music moves us, both emotionally and physically. When you hear a good rhythm, you almost can’t help yourself from moving. A melody, a voice or a song can stir emotions and feelings within us that make us happy, sad, excited, upset or something else entirely!
In her book, “The Power of Music”, author Elena Mannes reports that scientists have found that music stimulates more parts of the brain than any other function. Hence why it is so powerful and carries so many possibilities for the ability to affect change.
As a form of sensory stimulation, music provokes responses because they are familiar, predictable and people feel a sense of security when they hear a familiar tune. Music therapy can make positive changes when other forms of therapy cannot.
Music and Alzheimer’s disease
For seniors experiencing Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, music can provide emotional and behavioral benefits. Musical memories are often preserved because the parts of the brain that house these memories are relatively unaffected by the disease. Music can also relieve stress, reduce anxiety and depression and reduce agitation in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
For the caregiver, music can do many of the same things – reduce stress and anxiety and lighten the mood. Some people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease have trouble communicating. Music can bridge that gap, allowing caregivers and patients to find commonality within the music.
Because musical memories are often preserved, listening to music can stimulate other memories related to the times of their life that they listened to that music. Finding out what your loved one enjoys and playing those songs gives them an opportunity to remember past times. If they are inclined to clap or tap their feet to the beat of the music, you should encourage this movement. If you find particular songs that your loved one enjoys, play it often. On the flipside, any songs that have a negative reaction should be avoided.
Can Music Fight Alzheimer’s?
Scientists at the University of Utah found that music may tap into the salience network of the brain that is still functioning. The salience network is a collection of regions in our brain that determines which stimuli are worth paying attention to. This network is important for helping the brain coordinate its neural resources to respond to this stimuli.
Because people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease are confronted by an unfamiliar world, they experience anxiety and disorientation. The presence of music they recognize can help anchor them back into familiar territory.
The Legacy: Memory Support
Evergreen Senior Living provides several secure memory support units for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Locations in Chillicothe, Orland Park
