by Nani Chavez Unsplash

Mystery and Joy in the Gift of Music

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The great neurologist Oliver Sacks (1933-2015) once wrote, “I have found only two types of non-pharmaceutical ‘therapy’ to be vitally important for patients with chronic neurological diseases: music and gardens”

In my time at Tamahere I’ve seen the therapeutic value of music for all of our residents and especially for those who are living with dementia.

Music plays a big part in the daily life of the care home. We have music playing in most of our units during the day; the diversional therapists lead regular singalongs; every week residents are entertained by musicians in the chapel; we sing hymns at all our worship services and music often plays in the rooms of those who are dying.

In these and other situations, music brings a smile to people’s faces; it calms and consoles; it inspires and energizes; it connects us to our memories and emotions; it may even remind us who we are. It’s amazing to see people who often seem lost and confused start tapping their feet, swaying to a familiar tune, humming and singing, even on occasion getting up to dance.

I love seeing the way many of our residents love to move to music, even those in wheelchairs. Watching their delight, I often wonder if they’ve always been dancers, or did they dance as children and then give it up when they took on the responsibilities of adulthood? If so, is this newfound ability and enjoyment one of the strange gifts of dementia?

I’m inspired by the way our residents sing and dance without worrying about what other people think of them. They have a lot fewer inhibitions than most of us. They live in the now, giving themselves totally to the joy of music and movement. It’s hard to resist getting up and dancing alongside them. My mostly uncoordinated dance moves have certainly improved.

To me, how music comes to have such therapeutic value is a wonderful mystery. There is still so much to learn about all the ways we can care for the needs of our residents, especially those who are living with dementia. But music has a rare ability to engage our bodies, stimulate our minds, feed our spirits and connect us to others. It evokes emotion which brings memory and so nurtures wellbeing. I thank God for the mysterious gift of music.