Singing Helps All Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease

Sing loud and sing proud, you can even sing bad… just sing.  In individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases, memories can become hard to recall and thoughts can become difficult to express.  It has been shown that music is especially easy to recall.  The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America reports that music can be very powerful.  “It can spark compelling outcomes even in the very late stages of the disease.  When used appropriately, music can shift mood, manage stress-induced agitation, stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function, and coordinate motor movements.” 

Caregivers remember this fact and use it, sing with your loved ones.  Sing on the good days, and sing on the bad days.  Singing an old familiar song, particularly one from your loved one’s youth, can help can help your loved one suffering with Alzheimer’s.  It can help them express themselves, even when they have great difficulty speaking.  Agitation is a frequent side effect of late stage Alzheimer’s Disease.  It typically occurs when the individual becomes frustrated at his/her inability to process their environment and express what they are feeling.  The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America recommends using music to sing, and dance, just prior to the time of day when agitation typically occurs. 

One of the remarkable caregiver’s I have had the privilege of knowing, his wife was suffering with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s Disease.  He assisted his wife with most of her task of daily living.  She had great difficulty communicating with him, but when he sang “Take me out to the ball game” she would sing along, word for word.  He once said, when the song ends she is again under the grip of Alzheimer’s Disease, but for those few minutes, “I have my wife back.”

Wishing everyone the same success.

Karen Campbell is a Geriatric Care Manager and Founder of Innovative Aging.  Geriatric Care Managers work with elders and their loved ones to evaluate their needs and create a comprehensive service plan.  A Geriatric Care Manager can reduce family and caregiver stress.  They can save families considerable amounts of money over those who do not use a Care Manager.  Karen has over a decade of experience working with elders.  To learn more please visit www.innovativeagingllc.com or email: info@innovativeagingllc.com

To read more visit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America