Music therapy

aeliasz

My mom is in late stage AD ( we’ve been told) and has hospice care coming in and a music therapist is part of her care team. When he’s here singing with her it’s just unbelievable how different she is. Like a whole new happy person. Laughing and even joking around a bit. Normally she can’t even form a sentence. Makes me wonder if she is in fact in end stages….?

jvsalinas

Thanks for sharing.

harshedbuzz

Music can be magic.

Dad's MCF had a "Wedding Reception" with a DJ in late February as their monthly family event. My niece and mom attended with dad. The DJ handed dad the microphone to sing along with "Blueberry Hill" (their song, as it were). My niece took a quick video-- dad was smiling, his eyes were twinkling and he was singing along. He was more alive than I'd seen in years. This was a mere 5 weeks before he died.

HB

towhee

That music remains so late in the disease is truly a blessing. You might find that prayer remains somewhat as well.

MN Chickadee

The brain's ability to processes music is one of the last to go. My mother could sing song lyrics long after she could no longer speak a sentence. She could even read music notes and play the piano after no longer reading words or verbally communicating. And as towhee said, she could also recite the Lords Prayer, I think maybe because she had once sung it to music? I can't explain that one. Being able to reach our LOs with music is a little gift in an otherwise horrible situation. So nice you have a music therapist who can visit!

MsEve

Thanks, everyone for sharing, I'm taking care of 85yrd old Dad(I'm the middle child, 60yrs old). I moved from my home state to take care of my Dad since my older sister is incapable of spending time with him. I've been dealing with this issue for over 1 year. Dad isn't difficult to take care of he is very kind and cooperative(early onset). Our days are spent listening to music every day. I play old hymns on YT every Sunday and love it when Dad sings along. We were members of our church choir many years ago, it fills my heart to sing with him. But the best part is that he knows it's Sunday every time he hears the old hymns. Sadly Dad also became blind in 2021same time my mother passed. It's been a very difficult/emotional transition, I,m grateful that Dad can still sing to his heart's content. Thank you for letting me share my experience. All the best to everyone

BassetHoundAnn

My mom also responds enthusiastically to music. Whenever I visit I always bring along a wi-fi speaker and tablet with her favorite artists and songs. She always insists she never heard the songs before.

At her prior assisted-living residence there was a grand piano in the dining room. Residents who could barely dress themselves and couldn't remember the time of day would sit down and play the most extraordinary music from memory. It was amazing.