One good thing about music. When it hits you, you feel no pain.
~Bob Marley

Oh, but there are SO many good things about music. Have you ever been having a lousy day when all of the sudden you hear a favorite song, and the music transcends all of the negative feelings that have been plaguing you. Before you know it, you’re smiling – on both the outside and the inside. How about that song that brings back memories so vivid, it’s as if you’re reliving a special moment each time you hear it? If music can effect an ordinary person in such an extraordinary way, imagine what it might do for Alzheimer’s patients…

I’ve heard stories of people that have been completely non-verbal for years, yet when an old favorite song is played for them, they sing along – word for word, without missing a beat. Music’s power is nothing short of magical!

I just ran across this great article about a couple in Arizona helping Alzheimer’s patients through their Love Music Revival. It’s funny, because some of our best times at Outlook Manor were on the nights when they had musical entertainment. One evening in particular stands out – the “feature act” was Elvis, and the residents loved it! To many of those folks, lacking a sense of time, it may as well have been 1956 and they may as well have been in the audience of that oh-so-famous Ed Sullivan Show. The fact that this was an impersonator was lost on them, and what a blessing that was!

This weekend, we have a very special surprise planned for my mom and the other ladies at Eason House, and I absolutely cannot wait. Stay tuned for more – it promises to be memorable.  In the meantime, check out the Alzheimer’s Association blog for more wonderful information about music therapy!

One of the residents swooning over Elvis… priceless!