Tonight I spent some more time researching the arts’ benefits to therapy, healing, and quality of life in healthcare, particularly in long-term care settings. Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases seem to be the overwhelming maladies in senior care situations. However, I am learning that in many cases, dementia sufferers have unimpaired memories and skills safely tucked away that can unlocked and activated with the right stimuli or with “redirection” (changing focus while still acknowledging a perceived need).
For example, a San Francisco-area elder law attorney blogged his experiences as a jazz musician playing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities (“Does Music Help Alzheimer’s Patients?”). He shared that many residents could tell him the name of tunes he played, and how the tunes related to their own lives, despite their apparent loss of cognition. He also referenced a study about four New Orleans jazzmen in their 80′s who had played together for over 50 years. At the time of the study, they did not recognize each other or know each other’s names. However, on the count of three, they all picked up their instruments and played “When The Saints Come Marching Home” perfectly.
As another example, Marlina Teich is a Bay Area jazz guitarist and singer who understands and pursues serving Alzheimer’s patients with her music. In fact, she started an organization called Jazzheimers to accomplish that mission. You can find press related to her efforts here.
My friends at Norfolk, Virginia-based Tidewater Arts Outreach maintain a blog that discusses the arts in healthcare. There is a wonderful video posted there which I’d like to share here:
This video is actually a trailer for a DVD documentary I Remember Better When I Paint: Treating Alzheimer’s through the Creative Arts
As you can see, arts is a very viable and complimentary alternative to pharmaceutical-based Alzheimer’s care. By the way, if you enjoy timeless jazz standards, Marlina’s My Love Waits There
