Music - Putting on the Hits to Arrest Anxiety

I had really good results with music, so long as it was music that my sister (who also had FTD) knew and liked. So for us, it was lots of '80s music playing in the background. So much Madonna! 😄 This worked for us through stage 6, and the very beginnings of stage 7. Like your DW, my sister also couldn't sing the words, but she could often hum along and she could sometimes keep a beat. Still regretting the day I didn't take a video when we were chair dancing to Prince's "Kiss" well into stage 6. Well, regret is too strong a word - it would have been a "nice to have". But yeah, all of that music definitely put a smile on her face.

I try to have a “mini concert” every day. It takes both of us away from concerns and brings us back to happy times.

Music was the best medicine for my mother with Alz. I would bring a portable speaker to the memory care facility and any anxiety she had would melt away during that time. When she couldn't make conversation anymore our best outings were just going for a drive with a play list I made just for her. We also participated in a choir designed for people with dementia (PWD,) which I still volunteer with despite my mom having passed away. The PWD are so happy there. We all have some good laughs and you can tell their brains are firing on all cylinders. Moods elevate, skills improve, everyone leaves with a smile on their face. These choirs exist all over the US, people here should look them up! Towards the end of her Alz journey my mother was losing her ability to speak but she could still sing song lyrics. Long after she couldn't read words she could not only play the piano but also read music. It's truly incredible how music affects the brain. There are scientific explanations I never retain but it's definitely a thing with dementia.

With DH, it is classical music. I brought a boombox and a few CDs (Albinoni, Bach, Baroque mixes, etc.) to his AL residence, and I put the music on and we relax. He finds the music so soothing that he often falls asleep. Unfortunately he is far beyond being able to use the boombox himself. I don't have cognitive impairment but do suffer from anxiety that can be rather intense, especially lately. I stream classical music at home all day and find that it usually helps me to redirect my thoughts and be calmer. Music is very powerful.

yes, music was number one on our happy list. We did lots of chair dancing, I have videos, yay! Guess shes where I got my chair dancing techniques (my husband and I joke). Hospice music therapy was great too. Music and dancing was always a part of her life and I continued it to the very end.

Thank you for sharing that.

@Jeanne C. My only Elton John adventure —-

Way back in the day (the '70s) in the greater Bay Area we had a series of a Day On The Green - meaning, an outside concert on the baseball field at the Oakland Coliseum. I was there to see the Doobie Brothers and The Eagles (I don't like either band, but hey, day in the sun with music), and Elton John flew in! Elevated the whole day. Elton John is still one of my favorites.

I found this short article about it — I just wanted to make sure I hadn't dreamed the whole thing. 😄

Today was my husband's first music therapy session as part of his hospice care. The therapist had asked in advance about his music preferences. She came prepared with a few beatles songs along with others. About halfway through Let It Be, he started singing with her. At the end of the song he said "that was beautiful." It was such a gift to see him so happy and to hear his voice. I had to step out for a cry, but it was amazing.

Music was like magic when I cared for my mom at home. One of my big caregiving wins was figuring out showers were 75% easier when I played music. She tended to eat better with music also. Her preferences are Frank Sinatra and Mario Lanza.

Yes music is great.