BetterConduct

Try watching a movie without the background music or theme song.  Remember the expression that music soothes the savage beast?  Regardless of genre, music sets the tone, adds dimension and foreshadowing:  a good storyline is incomplete without its illustration.  Music can be understood in ways words cannot and is entwined in our experiences and reminisces.  It can change a mood, whisk away agitation, and take us to another time and place.  In fact, the value of music to calm and soothe is underutilized and underrated. 

 

One spousal caregiver stated of his wife, “Nothing is familiar to her now.  Everything is gone – except for music” (Donahue, 2014).  If the emotional brain remains intact long through the process of dementia, it stands to reason that music --and its accompanying emotions—would continue to be present, too.  Musical memory is present in the anterior singulate and ventral presupplementary motor area according to Mayo Clinic neurologist and Alzheimer’s specialist, Richard J. Caselli, MD.  Research shows these areas of the brain can, indeed, remain intact during latter stages of dementia.  Although new songs can be difficult to learn, memory for songs from early life tends to remain. 

 

Religious services generally include music and song as well as encouraging one to stay connected to the community.  Although responses or greetings during a service may be difficult for the IWD, procedural memory can remain.  Research has also shown that stress hormones decrease and oxytonin hormones increase while singing.  Music –and singing-- is good for caregivers for the very same reasons. 

 

The emotional side of a person dominates as cognition fails.  Many dementia sufferers find or maintain connection through spiritual or religious practices from the past.  Familiar settings and events may also rekindle feelings of belonging.  Attending such services or events should be encouraged.  As we take the time to be present to each other, we honor the dignity of another person.  No one person can do it all. 

 

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tunes – without the words and never stops at all.”  - Emily Dickinson.

 

Source:

Donahue W.  Mind, body, and soul:  when Alzheimer’s begins to attack the brain, faith can often be one saving grace that helps a person hang on.  US Catholic, 2014;10:18-22.