In a recent New York Times article, "Giving Alzheimer's Patients
Their Way, Even Chocolate," the use of food, art, music, and
exercise were highlighted as means to generate positive emotions
and to engage people with dementia in positive activities. Last
week I had the pleasure of witnessing the power of music, as part
of my new staff orientation to Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care,
based in Park Ridge.
I had the pleasure of shadowing Tae Kim, one of our music
therapists, on home visits to a couple of our hospice patients. My
favorite visit involved a couple, George and Ethel, whom I just
happened to know from my former parish in Edgewater. George has had
Alzheimer's disease for the past 8-10 years and is now in the
advanced stages. Ethel said he now utters just two complete
sentences: What's next? What's to eat? However, when Tae began
singing and playing his portable keyboard, George could sing entire
songs. He happily sang Silent Night in his native Polish as well as
several other songs that he learned long ago. He thoroughly enjoyed
all of them including the chorus of Auld Lang Syne: Should old
acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? For a change,
George did not forget.
To our amazement, George even initiated a couple of songs that
Tae picked up on immediately with his magical keyboard. He happily
clapped at the end of each song and asked, "What's next?" He was
still beaming long after the music had stopped. Somehow the good
feelings lingered when the memory faded away.
Ethel tearfully joined us in singing and remarked, "I think I'm
getting more out of this than him!" Tae had encouraged her to use a
tape recorder so that she could sing along with George after we
left. She carefully recorded every song and proudly said that their
kids and grandkids could now hear how much George still enjoys
music and singing. They can now sing along with him on his latest
recording!
I again saw how music can tap into the long-term memories of
people with dementia and create meaningful moments. I was also
reminded of the importance of enabling family caregivers to
maintain connections with their loved ones. It was a therapeutic
visit for everyone.
Daniel Kuhn, LCSW, is a Community Educator for Rainbow
Hospice and Palliative Care.
The views and opinions expressed in these blogs do not
necessarily represent those of CMSS or its affiliates.