Musings from Bev Foster, Room 217
There is something extraordinary about the capacity music has to enhance, even transform situations, relationships, well-being, neural circuitry and quality of life.
Music has the capacity to meet us where we’re at, influence our mood, trigger memories and give us pleasure, provide comfort and strengthen hope.
The themes of lyrics may tell the stories of our lives. Music can influence mood, and mood can influence music. Music can shift our mood.
Through thoughtful combination in the use of music we can help people move from isolation into relationship.
Music can trigger memories and their emotional association. This is one reason that music is an important intervention for people living with dementia. Dr. Oliver Sacks, American Neurologist claims that music is a significant means of connecting with the “preserved self”.
As I prepare the Music Care online course for January, I look forward to helping you bring music into your daily care with patients, families and other caregivers.
