Alive Inside: Behold the POWER of Music

[WilliamPitt]

Social worker Dan Cohen creates personalized iPod playlists for the residents of a nursing home in an attempt to bring some joy to them. The reaction of an elderly resident, Henry, was filmed as a part of the documentary, Alive Inside.

Bound to a wheelchair, Henry is unresponsive and depressed. But something magical happens when he listens to music from his era (Cab Calloway!). His eyes glisten with joy and he gently rocks his frail body as he enjoys the music. People at the nursing home were amazed at the changes in him. After just a few minutes of listening to his favorite songs, Henry is restored in some ways to the fun-loving man he once was.

Just watch.

Holy hot damn.

[WillyT]

1. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

:

[antigop]

2. Alzheimer's patients' brains boosted by belting out Sound of Music

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/nov/11/alzheimers-patients-brains-boosted-sound-music-singing

Four-month study finds mental performance of people with dementia improves after singing classic hits from musicals

Belting out classic numbers from hit musicals can boost the brain function of people with Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers who worked with elderly residents at a US care home.

Over a four-month study, the mental performance of patients who took part in regular group singing sessions improved compared with others who just listened.

In the sessions, patients were led through familiar songs from The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, The Wizard of Oz and Pinocchio.

The sessions appeared to have the most striking effect on people with moderate to severe dementia, with patients scoring higher on cognitive and drawing tests, and also on a satisfaction-with-life questionnaire at the end of the study.

Jane Flinn, a neuroscientist at George Mason University in Virginia, said care homes that did not hold group singing sessions should consider them, because they were cheap, entertaining and beneficial for patients with Alzheimer's.

[antigop]

3. true story....I can personally attest to the power of music

I volunteer at a local community theatre. We had an outreach program where some of our performers went to a nursing home to sing for the residents.

The difference in the residents' behavior was remarkable after listening to "The Sound of Music" selections. They literally "came alive".

Music is great therapy.

[KatyaR]

4. This is amazing--the change in his demeanor

is so beautifully abrupt and totally opposite of his normal self, it takes my breath away. Music can do miraculous things!

And hearing Dr. Sacks talk about this is wonderful as well, he explains things so beautifully.

[Divernan]

5. Alive Inside screens April 18, 20 and 21 at the Rubin Museum in New York City.

http://www.npr.org/2012/04/18/150891711/for-elders-with-dementia-music-sparks-great-awakenings

Dan Cohen's Tips On Music And The Elderly

Get the playlist right. Find out the person's tastes and create a varied mix: no more than five to seven songs per artist. Have them weed out tracks that are so-so, so you end up with 100 or 200 songs that all resonate.

Keep it simple. Make sure the elder knows how to use the player, or that someone nearby can help. Use over-ear headphones rather than earbuds, which can fall out.

Be patient. It can take time to reach the music memory. If the person is responding, feel free to sing along. If someone doesn't like the headphones, try a small speaker at first and incorporate the headphones gradually over time.

Keep it special. Don't leave the player on all the time. Nursing homes are finding it works well during transitions: If someone is hesitant to take a bath or eat or get dressed, music may help move things along.

[mcar]

6. I've written articles about this wrt hospice patients

So amazing and touching.

[onlyadream]

7. When my dad was in the CCU

His last days, I put my ipad to his ear and played his favorites. We thought he was unresponsive, but his hand, being held by mine, started moving up and down. Later, my mom told me he was conducting, he always did that. It was nice to know I brought him a little bit of something. He passed away soon after.

[dhill926]

8. Beautiful….

Thanks for this. So glad I'm a musician….

[G_j]

9. awesome! reminded me of this film,

[antigop]

10. Thank you for that! I have got to see it. Thank you! nt

[marble falls]

11. Will - thanks for still finding beauty and wonder in what you've discovered in a stressful time...

in your life and sharing that beauty. I think you now feel how I felt in similar circumstances a couple of years back. Someone posted this and while it fixed nothing it brightened my heart.

Thank you for all the things you add to the mix here at DU.

[Zorra]

12. Awww...

"...and what is music, m'love? and they probably found out that it was by this time." ~ jimi hendrix

[SaveOurDemocracy]

13. Wonderfully therapeutic .. Henry came alive!

[G_j]

14. --

[WilliamPitt]

15. Up

[Javaman]

16. As my mom slowly succumbed to the revenges of alzhiemers...

I would still play her Artie Shaw.

It would bring her back, if only momentarily.

I directly attribute my love of music to my mom.