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.
One Response
I find music one of the best ways to interact effectively with people with dementia. It can draw PWDs them into the chorus of a song they knew, even though they have otherwise lost the ability to speak: it can pull them out of times of delusion, and yet give authenticity to the visions that support them. It can relief pain — of body and soul for the Death Journeyer, and open pathways of shared grieving for their families and friends.