Music Therapy and Alzheimer's Disease

Even in the Late Stages of Alzheimer's disease when your loved one doesn't seem to know you, it is still possible to make a meaningful connection. Mercifully, the part of the brain that deals with music is largely unaffected by Alzheimer's.

I am reminded of a story from a man recalling his trip to Disney World with his marching band in high school. He briefly visited his grandparents at their retirement community near Disney while he was there, excitingly telling them about marching in the Christmas parade with Mickey Mouse.

As he sat there talking in the sitting room in the common area, his grandmother just smiled and nodded.  She was well along into Alzheimer's and grandpa explained she just didn't communicate anymore.

Before it was time to leave, grandpa took him to go see their little apartment. He saw grandma's organ, which grandpa mentioned she hadn't been able to play in years. When he asked grandma to play him a song, grandpa just looked with a pained expression on his face.

Suddenly grandma walked over to the organ,  sat down and began to play 'It's a Small World" - the Disney song...

Sometimes music is the only window left to your loved one, and it is precious.