MUSIC AND ALZHEIMERS

Music is of immense benefit to sufferers from dementia and alzheimers. It has been found that not only does music have a calming effect on the patient, but also seems to slow down the progression of the illness. To help a patient first find out what music they liked. Ask relatives and friends and use earphones so that there are no distractions. It appears that people respond strongly to the music of their childhood and teens. Calming music is the best choice if possible. Playing music to alzheimers sufferers reduces anxiety, depression and agitation. It also helps caregivers in not only reducing their stress, but also helps with communication. It helps to encourage the patient to clap and keep time with the music. Sometimes it helps to just gently tap on the patient's arm in time to the music. Although just listening to the music helps alzheimers and dementia sufferers, sharing the experience enhances the enjoyment for the patient. This is of course one of the most important aspect of being a caregiver, you must spend time with the patient and give love. Unfortunately due to lack of resources and information many sufferers from dementia and alzheimers do not receive enough attention and in many institutions and even homes, sufferers are left to vegetate. Where the carer is one person at home the strain of running the house and looking after the patient can be immense. If possible additional help should be sought, not necessarily to help with domestic chores, but to talk to the patient and spend time with them. There are many people who will give some time voluntarily to help in this way, especially when they are made aware of the problems and solutions. The problem is often lack of attention because of time. The solution is to get help. Contact an Alzheimers Society in your area for advice and support. My own dementia is still in the early stage, but I am daily noticing my own memory loss. Yesterday I didn't recognize someone who I would have done before. On Sunday at a birthday party I confused one person who I know quite well with another. Perhaps I should play more music! The weather here in Paarl is very hot and Boysie and I have got in some good swimming and playing 'ball' The temperatures at this time of year often exceed 40% and everyone who can goes to bed in the afternoons! We are coping very well, we don't have air conditioning because of the high cost of electricity, but we have lots of fans and so we cope. My new book proceeds slowly, but I am sure that I can finish it before my condition deteriorates too far. I sometimes have difficulties recalling words, but if I concentrate the missing word comes back.For recreation I still read extensively and I decided to re-read Dennis Wheatley whose complete 50 odd books I have in my library. He was a famous writer of about fifty years ago and although I remembered him as being a very good story teller I expected to find his stories a bit out of date. Apart from the lack of internet and cell phones the story lines could be today's and my enjoyment was as much as fifty years ago. Bobby the parrot and his friend Sandy have taken to grapes with gusto and every time I pass their cages a demanding squawk is heard! Keep taking the tablets. David Barnato. Paarl. South Africa.