The brain-music connection is powerful and real. As we all know from hearing that song associated with a first love or leaving home for good, music is profoundly linked to personal memories. In fact, our brains are hard-wired to connect music with long-term memory. Even for persons living with dementia, music can tap deep emotional recall. For individuals living with Alzheimer’s, memory for things—names, places, facts—is compromised, but memories from our teenage years can be well-preserved.
Favorite music or songs associated with important personal events can trigger memory of lyrics and the experience connected to the music. Beloved music often calms chaotic brain activity, reducing anxiety and enables the listener to focus on the present moment and regain a connection to others. It also allows a person to reconnect to the world and gain improved quality of life from listening to personal music favorites.
The Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Barron, Rusk, & Washburn County will meet with you and your loved one at your home and help you discover the soundtrack of your life and load the songs on an iPod. You will receive an iPod, headset, speaker, and $25 credit to the iTunes store. A diagnosis is not necessary to receive this resource.
Call Trisha Witham at the ADRC, 1-888-538-3031, for more information or set up an appointment.
Last Update: Jul 09, 2018 11:44 am CDT
