The Sound of Music

“…Do di di di do we do do…these are a few of my favorite things!” Ah, the Sound of Music – it is one of “My Favorite Things!” Music can match or change your mood, help express the way you feel, and trigger a memory and a moment in your life.

In Linda Noelker’s blog entry on Huffington Post, she reviews Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory, shown at the Cleveland International Film Festival this past March.

Noelker writes, “The compelling film by director Michael Rossato-Bennett portrays the power of music to engage and enliven these nursing home residents to the amazement of staff and family members. The idea was Dan Cohen's, a social worker who found a way to bring residents to life using an iPod with a personally customized playlist. Once the headset is on and the residents are listening to their favorite songs from the 1940s or 50s, their eyes open wide, smiles appear, and some even clap their hands or tap their feet.”

This movie is another example of the growing list of research on how music and the arts benefit people with Alzheimer’s. Watching the movie is an inexpensive activity to enjoy and a nice reminder of the power of music; as a caregiver, try using music to connect with your loved one. If your family member is in a home, you can try to advocate for a focus on music if it doesn’t already exist.

Is there a song that connects you and your elderly family member? Or, a song that they’ve been drawn to? What songs do you think will stick with you forever?

Some Spring Ideas for the Elderly

With the first day of spring less than a week away, it’s a good time to start thinking about some fun outside activities. Being outdoors is great for your health. According to the Harvard Health Letter, being outside will increase your vitamin D levels, elevate your mood, increase concentration, and, most importantly for the elderly, speed up healing. The Health Letter indicated that in one study, individuals who were exposed to natural light felt less pain and stress following surgery.  Additionally, the benefits of being active are very important to elder health.

For the elderly, some of these activities may have to be modified. However, the health benefits of being outside and the health benefits of being active make these activities a ‘must do’ for seniors.

Here are some ideas:

Take a walk: Take a walk around the neighborhood. If you don’t have any safe sidewalks around your home, you could try walking around a high school track.

Garden: Gardening is a great way to enjoy the nice weather and fit some exercise into your day. It can be very tiring work, but it’s extremely rewarding!

Hike: Find some easy trails around your home, and go for a hike. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear to prevent injuries!

Have a picnic: Pack a light lunch and head to the park!

Yard games: You can pick some easy games with the elderly. Think of low impact games such as shuffle board, horse shoes, or badminton.

Have coffee outside: Find a local café or restaurant, get a cup of coffee or tea, and sit outside in the sun.

Explore your own town: Get outside and pretend to be a tourist in your own town.

Do you have any other ideas? Leave some in the comments section!