Working with QualiCare in their early days, I helped build out a series of articles aimed at part-time carers who didn’t have the benefit of full training. Articles focused on ways to ease caregiving and find support from services in Alberta to make part-time care easier and more accessible.
Below is an example of an article that was published.
Battling Dementia With a Simple Tune
The uplifting power of music is becoming a significant therapeutic tool in improving the quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients, as music can have a lasting effect on a person’s attitude, life, and events.
The nature of Alzheimer’s Disease and related cognitive impairment is disruptive to households, medical routines, and relationships. Mood swings, aggressive behavior, wandering, and failure to cope with the requirements of medications are all struggles for patients and caregivers. In the last few years, research has shown playing or even listening to music can have a powerful and positive effect on patients.
The Science Behind The Ear Worm
The Boston University School of Medicine and the Vanderbilt Memory Disorders Research Lab have revealed that music can elevate a patient’s mood, aid in recalling personal memories and relationships, and even assist in establishing new memories for patients with Alzheimer’s.
Studies have shown playing a familiar instrument or listening to familiar music puts patients into a relaxed state of mind, allowing them to recall pleasant events associated with the music.
Along with altering mood and bringing up old memories, the studies have also found listening to music with someone can help a patient form new memories of the event — overcoming one of the earliest and most frustrating challenges Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers face.
The Boston University study also examined how the brain reacts while learning music. Scans showed unexpected involvement of brain areas that were able to circumvent traditional memory centers. Patients who memorized lyrics to songs by singing them had significantly higher retention of the new information than those simply reading the words. Caregivers can use these techniques to give patients mental “triggers” to time dosages and form new routines around their homes.
The possibility of music helping to unlock memories for patients is exciting, and this process of learning and retaining new memories is one of the major steps needed to help patients cope with the disease and provide an opportunity to form new routines.
Preliminary studies are hopeful new memory formation is a step towards overcoming the disease. Early data suggests that no matter the larger goals for Music therapy, it is a valuable and simple tool for improving the quality of life in those suffering from Alzheimer’s.
As a caregiver, the best thing to do is find music patients enjoy and allow it to brighten the day.
Sources
Music in Alzheimer’s Disease
http://thecaregiver.blogspot.ca/2012/04/music-in-alzheimers-disease.html
Music boosts memory in Alzheimer’s Patients
http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2011/03/music-boosts-memory-in-alzheimers.html