Recently I blogged on another site that listening to music was a wonderful activity for a person to share with a family member that is suffering with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. Music like Alzheimer's takes us back to a memory that we associate with another time in our life.
As a child growing up (I'm now 59) I always loved the soulful sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Morgana King, Cleo Laine, Shirley Bassey, Etta James and Rae Marnie. Each of these great artist recorded a song that when I hear it, a memory is triggered of an event or a person in my life.
My father has been gone since 1984 and when I feel that my memory of him is not as crisp as I would like it to be I listen to Frank Sinatra (the early years) or Glenn Miller. As I write this I am listening to Moonlight Serenade with tears overflowing...I see that handsome young soldier dancing with the beautiful young woman with the flower in her hair...
I will have that picture in my mind forever.
Ms Marnie, thank you for your beautiful rendition of My Funny Valentine. When I first heard you sing this on Valentine's Day, it triggered the memory of my dad singing it to my mom every Valentine's Day...what a wonderful gift you and the other Ladies of Soul have given us. Thanks for sharing those gifts.
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Sassy
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Posted 7:17pm February 24th, 2009Patricia,
I work in a nursing home and work with dementia and alzhimers patients.
Music does sooth the soul and brings them out to their old selves...if for only alittle while.
They sing and remember every word of songs.
I do sing alongs with them and you see a twinkle in their eyes when they sing an old song.
It even seems to help at that awful sun downing time of day.
Music is a very important part of my life and I love to share it with all my residents.
Great Blog....
Sassy