Dementia has been in the headlines recently. Documentary-maker Louis Theroux has created a new documentary with the BBC, spending time with people with dementia and their families. You can watch his documentary here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01gvt26/hd/Louis_Theroux_Louis_Theroux_Extreme_Love_Dementia/
The Guardian also published an article last week about dementia, and specifically the use of music therapy in dementia. You can read the article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/apr/23/dementia-power-of-music
The author discusses her personal experiences of delivering music therapy to residents on a dementia ward, 40 years previously. She describes the patients? response as “Instant Prince Charming and Sleeping Beauty. The whole ward woke up, banging, rattling, smiling and singing away. For half an hour. It worked like a charm.”
Similar responses have been recorded when iPods have been given to individuals with dementia. The recent Alive Inside documentary (http://www.ximotionmedia.com/) shows remarkable footage of an individual with dementia, Henry Dryer. 92 years of age, slumped in a chair and barely able to recognise his own daughter, Mr Dryer reacts dramatically when a pair of headphones are placed on his head. He sits up in his chair and opens his eyes wide, singing along. Even when the music has finished, Mr Dryer is able to answer questions around his love of music. This moving piece of footage is available on The Guardian’s web site – http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-news-blog/2012/apr/12/alive-inside-documentary-healing-music
The Alive Inside documentary interviews Oliver Sacks, a world-renowned neurologist who has written extensively about the impact of music on neurological function in his book, Musicophilia. He notes that “In some sense, Henry is restored to himself. He remembers who he is. He has reacquired his identity for a while through the power of music.”
If you think that a relative or friend may benefit from creative expressive therapies such as music therapy, or associated therapies such as speech and language therapy, I.T.S could be of help. Contact us here:
https://integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk/contact-us/enquiry
Sarah Bennington, April 2012
Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services. I.T.S is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire, East Midlands and Southern England. It specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Psychotherapists
