A friend recently shared a video on Facebook that showed how
music therapy was helping older generations recall old memories and connect
with their family through music. It would take them back to a previous time and
memories. Even for those who we suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The
music was a way to connect to a previous time that they still had in their
memory. Not to mention that it also brought smiles to their faces and got them
moving even if it was something as simple as tapping a foot in a wheel chair. Check it out here
I am a firm believer in the fact that this works. I got to
see it in action. Robert’s mother loved Elvis. She would always play his music
and watch his movies with her kids. Robert and his sister have told me many
times of memories that involved Elvis’ music in some way. Robert enjoys
listening to Elvis and remembering those times growing up before Huntington’s
Disease robbed him of his mother.
Even when she was at the end of her life, Cheryl still loved
Elvis. She watched Elvis movies all day long. If there was not a movie playing
and you asked her if she wanted to watch Elvis, her face would light up and you
could tell she was trying to dance. Even when all she was constantly fighting
the uncontrollable chorea and couldn’t say a word, you could tell that she
remembered Elvis and his music. And when it played, she wanted to get up and
dance. That never changed.
Music therapy is legit. It can help in so many ways for a
person that is struggling with Huntington’s Disease. It can take a person back
to a time and place when life was different. It can provide a connection to a
memory and time shared with a friend or family member that you can both recall,
even if she cannot communicate in words what she is thinking and feeling. You know what he is thinking about because you were there with him and can share the memory of that moment together.
I think I want to begin a "Soundtrack of our Life", full of songs that have memories attached to them so that Robert and I can listen to them and remember those times. That way, even if he can't tell me with words about a specific time, we can use a song to take us both back to that time.
I think I want to begin a "Soundtrack of our Life", full of songs that have memories attached to them so that Robert and I can listen to them and remember those times. That way, even if he can't tell me with words about a specific time, we can use a song to take us both back to that time.
