In this world of electronic playlists, mixes, and “Hey Siri, play ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ for me,” it’s not surprising that everyone’s life has a soundtrack. When we hear certain songs or other musical selections, our brain performs amazing gymnastics to call up feelings and memories of significant related events and milestones in our life. Musical memories are stored in parts of the brain that affect emotions and fundamental processes, actually becoming a part of who we are. Marketers seize on this phenomenon, which is why a person with dementia may recall jingles from 50 years ago but not know his daughter’s name.
Allentown and Lehigh Valley memory care experts understand this resonance. Therapeutic Arts Group in Whitehall is one such organization collaborating with other therapy professionals “to use music and art within a therapeutic relationship to help our clients attain goals, cope with hardship, overcome physical and mental challenges, and improve their quality of life.”
Neurologists and other researchers have found that music, although by no means a cure for dementia, can still offer the patient a “cognitive boost.” While listening to music for an extended period, new connections can be formed among different regions of the brain, allowing for increased information transfer. Interestingly, different music has different effects on the brain. Old familiar tunes stimulate regions associated with emotion, cognition, and autobiographical memory, whereas newer, less-familiar music is processed aurally but doesn’t delve as deeply into the brain.
You may be familiar with the hit pop group, The 5th Dimension, but have you heard of The 5th Dementia? Seriously, The 5th Dementia is the flagship band of Music Mends Minds, “a nonprofit that strives to foster worldwide communities among afflicted individuals and their families, friends, volunteers, and caregivers, all of whom can thrive on socialization and music-making.” MMM creates musical support groups for people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other neurological disorders.
MMM has seen people with dementia gravitate toward instruments and play cogently as their demeanor and posture change. Some who have never met before form bands. People from whom Alzheimer’s has stolen their ability to speak suddenly sing a favorite song. Patients and caregivers participate in bands and choral groups.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” In the inner world of the dementia sufferer who is losing control of his or her speech, music can indeed bond people of all types, if only for a moment.
Whatever the cause of your or your loved one’s memory issues, South Mountain Memory Care, with our unique culture, “small house” model, and abundance of certified caregivers, offers you the peace of mind of knowing your loved one will be cared for as if they were our family—which they are!
South Mountain Memory Care is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care to support our residents in achieving a well-balanced lifestyle. We strive to allow our residents to remain independent while emphasizing safety. Our focus is to enrich their life—mind, body, and spirit—by bringing new initiatives into their day-to-day regimen while maintaining the activities they find comfort in. South Mountain Memory Care offers the peace of mind you deserve. When it comes to those you care so deeply about, we understand because we care, too.