Alive Inside - the Power of Music

Henry talking about Music

Anyone who has ever cared for a friend or loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia, knows that reaching the patient can be a very frustrating experience. The person may still look the same but a veil seems to be separating you and impeding communication. In general, life for the elderly in a nursing home can feel alienating and lonely. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, some doctors decided to experiment with the power of music to "awaken" minds considered closed.

Using the theory that Alzheimer’s Disease does not affect the portion of the brain that is associated with music, doctors like Dr. Oliver Sacks and Dr. Bill Thomas began to work with patients using headphones to listen to their favorite music of their youth in portable music players. The results were nothing short of amazing. The process can be viewed in a documentary about the Music and Memory non-profit project, in a film produced and directed by Michael Rossato-Bennett. "Alive Inside tells a story of hope and beauty in a place where they are hard to find." It follows Dan Cohen as he discovers the power music has and features the amazing men and women in patient care. It was commissioned by the The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation. A short excerpt can be seen now and the world premiere for Alive Inside will be at the Rubin Museum in New York City on Wednesday, April 18th, Friday April 20th, and Saturday, April 21st, with two additional screenings on Saturday. Each ticket includes a Q&A with Alzheimer’s specialists and a post-program information table staffed by experts from the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter.

Watching the film trailer is incredible to see listless, withdrawn individuals who suddenly come to life with alert expressions and enthusiasm as their music brings back their memories of love and joy. Please visit  MusicAndMemory.org for more information about how Music and Memory can help elderly patients, or to volunteer or donate an iPod (new or used) or mp3 player. We also have local elder care facilities in this county who may be willing to give this music therapy a try to improve the quality of a patient's life.