Music Therapy: Old Man In Nursing Home Reacts To Hearing Music From His Era
Loved seeing this -- from Music Therapy (which Oliver Sacks talks about).
Sacks notes that the positive effect of this doesn't stop when the music does.
"It gives me the feeling of love," the man says.
We need more of this.
Music makes life -- including a that's been diminished -- worth living.
My 85 year old mother loves Pandora because she can access her music.
L Nettles at July 4, 2013 6:04 AM
The nurse is adorable!
Music has always had that effect on me. It's good to see the nursing home has given these dear people part of their lives back.
Thanks for this.
Aaron Dyer at July 4, 2013 6:07 AM
Well the Beatles arrived in the U.S. in February 1964. So the 18 year old then is now hitting 67.
In a few years rock and roll will be arriving in the nursing homes in force. That is going to be interesting.
Jim P. at July 4, 2013 6:36 AM
What a great video. Thanks for linking it, Amy. I've noticed through my interactions with my own mother (who passed away two years ago) that, when dementia hits, it's the beloved memories from childhood that seem to remain. My mother always loved recounting tales from her childhood, her little dog Lucky, and dancing at her prom to the Glenn Miller Band.
Robert at July 4, 2013 12:38 PM
This video just about made me cry, so I have to post something that amuses me.
My husband loves NPR so we heard the Capitol Steps group doing their thing today. I can take political humor or leave it, but I did like their take on the Rolling Stones songs: Hey You Kids Get Off of My Lawn, Blood Sugar, You Can't Always Eat What You Want, etc. They also threw in I Keep Dry With a Little Help From Depends.
Not knocking the elderly. I'm 57. Got my AARP card and everything. Had a senior moment just now when I had to ask my husband how to spell AARP.
Pricklypear at July 4, 2013 2:23 PM
Then there's making music.
I hated piano lessons - then later, I loved the ability to make music.
Tried to get my kids to learn, but none showed interest.
Amateur music-making has suffered from the easy availability of professionally-produced music.
Ben David at July 4, 2013 7:30 PM
A few of my friends were in a band called Sol Dog. Their motto was: Music is Magic. And while I always knew that deep in my soul, this video just confirmed it for me.
Thanks so much, Amy!
Flynne at July 5, 2013 6:01 AM
I listen to a lot of "classic rock" myself (as I put it at a class reunion a while back, the oldies station doesn't play oldies anymore, they play our music!), but my family and I frequently hold impromptu songfests when visiting elderly relatives in nursing homes, and nothing draws a crowd faster than "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" or "You are My Sunshine."
Grey Ghost at July 5, 2013 7:17 AM
"Amateur music-making has suffered from the easy availability of professionally-produced music."
Obviously you've never heard of Garageband, or noticed the hundreds of semi-pro musicians touring and performing for friends.
Radwaste at July 8, 2013 4:33 AM
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