“Our sensory experiences as human beings are connected with our memories. For people with dementia or other cognitive impairments, often those associations remain even if other elements of their memory are impaired and impacted. You could play a piece of music that holds meaning to them — and that memory is going to be triggered.
– Scott Horowitz, LPC, clinical assistant professor at Drexel University
"Memories and songs are locked together in nvaults that dementia doesn’t seem to be able to fully crush. I’ve seen a person not recognize their spouse of 65 years but when I play their wedding song this individual turns to their spouse and they recognize them and dance.”
Very interesting observations. Maybe it’s because the power of producing and appreciating music existed among the human race long before the power of speech was arrived at. Perhaps that is why we are so subtly influenced by it. Maybe there are vague memories in our souls of these times.
I read a recent report that learning a musical instrument improves intelligence and cognitive ability. Perhaps that explains why/how intelligent people can often play an instrument. Algebra is also a form of code as is map reading and Morse. Mmmmm
I’ll take that! I loved having the guitar and bass, and music in general, to return to on my way ‘out’ of encephalitis while in hospital. I say ‘out’ – we never really completely escape do we – but you know what I mean! There are reports that point to music at schools being brilliant for helping children learn all sorts of subjects, e.g. the brain generally finds it easier to remember a fact if you can ‘sing’ the answer in your head plus in between lessons it can really help so many people focus. A friend of mine worked for a time with music as part of therapies for people with all sorts of medical conditions. Music is amazing basically. I love the challenge!
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