Music & Memory

Some years ago now, back in 2009, I wrote a blog post called Music and Memories, reflecting on my father and the music that was a joy and inspiration to him throughout his life. In it I wrote:http://rpk-tramplin.ru

Music holds a sure magic. It transports us through time, connects us with other people, helps to heal wounds, makes us laugh, makes us cry and feeds the soul. And there are some tunes that, when we hear them, take us back to a certain time or place with crystal-clear vividness.

So it was with great delight I came across Music & Memory, a non-profit organisation that uses digital technology to provide the gift of personalised music to elderly folk in care who have experienced significant cognitive and physical deterioration.

Our approach is simple, elegant and effective: We train elder care professionals how to set up personalized music playlists, delivered on iPods and other digital devices, for those in their care. These musical favorites tap deep memories not lost to dementia and can bring residents and clients back to life, enabling them to feel like themselves again, to converse, socialize and stay present.

Watch the video below  about Henry, an elderly man who had dementia for ten years and was almost mute – until Music and Memory brought an iPod personalised music program into his nursing home.  I’m sure you will find it as inspiring as I did!

And do visit the Music and Memory website for more about the program as well as several other music-brain resources, research links and inspiring video clips.

Not only in relation to the elderly residents themselves but also for their carers, this is another a story that shows how music transports us through time, connects us with other people, helps to heal wounds, makes us laugh, makes us cry and feeds the soul.