A group of Alzheimer’s patients gather in the recreation room of the care facility, my mom is one of them. She sits in a chair, off to the side. Her eyes are vacant; her mind is somewhere far away. The woman next to her is clutching a tattered stuffed animal as if it’s her best friend. Her eyes appear glazed over, lifeless and vague. A gentleman on the other side of the room is calling out profanities at someone who has supposedly stolen his food. Nearby, a fellow walks aimlessly, chanting gibberish as he shuffles along.
Linda, the Activities Coordinator, stands before the indifferent audience and introduces us. “Put your hands together for a warm welcome,” she instructs, as she claps her own hands expressively in an effort to engage others. “And enjoy the sounds of Sweet Harmony.”
None of the residents follow her plea for applause. Most of them don’t even look up. But the three of us are okay with that. We’re used to it. For the past year, while singing to clients in various care homes, we know what effect our three-part harmonizing will soon have. And before our first chorus of “Sentimental Journey” is over, it’s already happening.
Flickers of recognition cross a few of the previously blank faces. Some start to sway in time with the beat. More join in as we continue sharing our line-up of familiar favourites: Ain’t We Got Fun, Harbour Lights, You Are My Sunshine and Bye Bye Blackbird. By the time we’re belting out Five Foot Two, there are a number of serious toe tappers and rhythmic clappers joining in. Even my mom has moved closer, mesmerized by these tunes that resurrect memories of long ago.
Our trio’s desire to entertain this sector evolved from personal experiences. We all had mothers who resided in care and, though they were no longer able to have conversations, we realized they could still recall many of the “golden oldies.” And as well as enhancing their well-being and quality of life, it was clear that our tunes helped trigger memories.
Studies have shown that listening to songs associated with strong memories activates the nucleus accumbens, otherwise known as the pleasure centre of our brains. Research even suggests that music promotes the brain’s ability to make new connections between nerve cells through its rhythms.
Relaxing music can lower the production of cortisol, which lowers stress and, in turn, lowers elevated heart rates, blood pressure and sometimes cholesterol. For individuals with hypertension and related conditions, music can be much more powerful and safer than many prescription drugs.
For our moms and other clients in varying stages of Alzheimer’s, it may help improve their focus, enhance their ability to communicate, reduce agitation and lower the need for psychiatric medications. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Miami School of Medicine revealed that music therapy leads to increased secretion levels of “feel-good” brain chemicals, including melatonin, serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine and prolactin in Alzheimer’s patients. Even in the late stages of this disease, some clients are able to tap a beat or sing lyrics to a song they knew from their childhood.
Most of us can relate, even if we’re not dealing with a health issue. Have you ever cranked up the car radio when a favourite song comes on – usually one that brings back great memories? Some of us will even exercise our vocal chords if we’re sure the car windows are rolled up and no one can hear.
And then there are those songs that bring back emotional or hard times in our lives – the ones that remind us of a person that we miss or has passed on. Whenever I hear John Lennon’s, “Imagine,” I think of my nephew who was killed in a motor vehicle accident nearly 30 years ago. It was played at his funeral and is one that I’ll never forget.
Throughout history, music has been used in spiritual ceremonies in the form of acapella singing, chanting and drumming. It helps during times of grief, loneliness and even anger. It uplifts our souls, fosters feelings of joy, compassion and love, and bridges the gap between generations –from tiny infants who are soothed to sleep by lullabies to octogenarians who are in search of comfort.
Even though Mom has been gone for nearly 20years, every time I hear any of the golden oldies they conjure up the days of Sweet Harmony and the connection this healing therapy provided between us. Music spoke for her when her own words failed. It healed wounds that medicine could not touch. It lifted her spirits, opened her heart and made her smile. And like a Sentimental Journey, it transported her back to happy times.
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