On Music

The magic of classical music and dance are ageless. The young child may be a fairy queen. The teen may imagine herself as Juliet. The elderly are transported back to a time of beauty, grace and romance. It becomes the perfect medium for exercise and self expression. Even neuro-muscular problems can helped when the person focuses on the music instead of the mechanics of movement. It has been found that the part of the brain that processes music isn't usually affected by Alzheimer's or other dementias. Many nursing homes play music all day long. However, unless the residents' attention is drawn to it by the leaders' verbal cues, eye contact and body language, the music will be like white noise in the background and do no good. I have found that classical and semi classical music that have clear rhythms (waltzes, marches, polkas and even adagios) and mood works best for exercise. It doesn't matter if the residents have never listened to classical music. I have used it with residents coming from diverse backgrounds. Through the process of empathic engagement the residents will almost always 'get it'.