Music therapy for Alzheimer’s patients has become more and more popular.  Often, when you visit a nursing home, there will be background music.  Also, you’ll find music CDs or DVDs playing on the television.

This frequently is from an era compatable with the patients’ active years.

The advantages of music:

• It’s calming
• It’s relaxing
• It often evokes memories
• It stimulates the mind

Although my mother never said much about the music at the nursing home where she resided for 8 years, I discovered she enjoyed it when there were programs and musical activities.  She smiled, she moved her hands in time with the music, she seemed relaxed.

Try music when you find your family member agitated, is frustrated, and needs to recall past events.

How have you used music?