Music And Caregiving

Caregiver Warrior

I have spend most of my life being around music and the business of it. I picked up the guitar around age 9 or 10 and from that moment on my life took on a course that was magical. I can remember strumming a G chord for hours mesmerized with the sound of it. I performed, wrote, recorded and worked with fantastic musicians and artists and had a great career both as singer-songwriter and then as an executive in the industry. Who knew when I told my mother I wanted to play guitar like Elvis Presley instead of ballet lessons, that my life in the music world would be so precious. I believed then and still do that music can save the world. I am thrilled to see music and music therapy being used more and more as a powerful tool in the care of seniors and Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients. I also believe that caregivers can benefit immensely from including music in their lives and daily routine. I know what effect music has on me, my life and my mood and I have seen it work wonders for others. I have used it with my Mom who had Dementia. We both shared a love of the blues and she adored Dr. John. I would play his albums while washing and doing her hair and we would sing and she would dance in her chair. Her fear and agitation were forgotten. New and exciting music programs are being developed for patients with Alzheimer’s and Dementia and the results are amazing. There is an extraordinary documentary on a miraculous program where music playlists are designed for patients based on their personal tastes. They are given iPods with their customized music to listen to and the reactions are mind blowing. There is no doubt left that music is a legitimate therapeutic option for so many that have been written off as lost and in a world of their own. The documentary and information on this wonderful program can be found at Alive Inside. This program proves the principle that music can reach and stimulate areas of the brain that appeared to be damaged or dormant and that social skills and communication abilities of the patients improve dramatically when exposed to music. Even having patients engage in singing in a choir or listening and interacting with someone playing and singing music works wonders. We need to start thinking outside of the box and seriously spend time and money to develop these music based programs, therapies and initiatives. The reaction of joy to music is universal and those who may be suffering in silence can now have a chance to reconnect and break out of that darkness. Incorporate music into your Caregiver Warrior world as much as you possibly can. Not only for those you love but for your own enjoyment. We should all turn up the volume and appreciate the powerful effect that music can have on us. Then dance like nobody’s watching!