Alzheimer's Music Therapy

"Caring for an Alzheimer's patient is a situation that can utterly consume the lives and well- being of the people giving care, just as the disorder consumes its victims" (Leeza Gibbons). Alzheimer's disease destroys the lives of many and puts families into a living nightmare. This disease deteriorates human beings and brings down even the strongest people. Many scientists and doctors believe in music therapy as an advanced form of treatment. Music therapy is when doctors and nurses incorporate music into the lives of the patients to help them remember something from their past. Some believe music therapy is unreliable because patients may express false memories (Swayne), however there are studies that have provided factual proof of its benefits.
Singing and dancing to music leads to hugs, kisses and touching which resurfaces memories. “Additionally, music serves as a means of communication for those where the function of language has become very challenging or lost” (Alzheimer’s). In addition, music requires little to no mental processing, so singing doesn’t require cognitive functions that isn’t present in most patients (5 Reasons Why Music Boosts Brain Activity). Singing and dancing tends to be a reflex for most patients. So it’s not mentally challenging to patients because they don’t need to specifically remember how to sing and dance. In addition, the relationship between the patient and caregiver, when music and singing is involved, has been shown to greatly improve (Ziv). Moreover, music reduces stress and anxiety because it is non-invasive, safe and motivating (BrainHQ). To continue, “Music is predictable, structured, and organized–and our brain appreciates it” (BrainHQ). According to Dr. Kirkland, “High pitch generally causes tension and a low pitch conversely is more resonant, relaxing” (Kirkland). Peaceful, steady beats calm the patients down while as faster beats motivates and energizes them. Furthermore, music can calm or motivate an Alzheimer’s patient because generally, his mind enjoys structure and rhythm because it’s easy to maintain. In addition, music helps Alzheimer’s patients to feel a
The elements of music such as rhythm, pitch, and melody are all processed differently. The emotions are also tied in with music, thus activating the limbic system” (Kirkland). Since music is processed through a patient’s brain and nervous system, it easier for them to recall past memories and events. “Oliver Sacks, an advocate of music therapy, says that we listen to music with our muscles,” thus making it easier for patients to reminisce their recollections because there is not one specific part of the brain used (Kirkland, Sacks). Furthermore, according to Kirkland, “The arousal is in the brain stem and the dynamic registers in the basal ganglia. With music being received and processed at the brain stem level, it shows how basic and primeval sound is to humans.” Music is processed in a way that it comes second nature to individuals. Humans are taught languages, so severely demented patients tend to forget how to speak because language is stored in a specific part in the brain. However, music doesn’t require a teacher but rather ears and passion. Music isn’t processed like language so it’s impossible for patients to forget their favorite songs. For example, when a person is driving and the radio is on, he might start to hum along or even sing along and not even realize. Or even a student sitting in class and hears a word that the teacher says can trigger a