Music has a profound connection to our personal memories. Listening to a favorite song may trigger a m
emory from the first time we heard it. You may ask what part of the brain helps enlist these memories.
The upper prefrontal cortex “hub” happens to be one of the last areas of the brain to experience atrophy. It explains why people living with Alzheimer’s can still recall songs from their past, and why music can stimulate such powerful emotional responses. Music has such an extraordinary power to lift people’s spirits and even motivate them to sing along.
Our seniors enjoy music on so many levels. The Van Dyk family integrates music daily in every care setting — whether it’s playing lively music at home, using music in our dance classes, or having our seniors participate in choir. We love Broadway tunes. We love classics from the 40s, 50s, 60s and on. You name it, we play it. Our activities teams and caregivers make music a daily routine, and rightfully so. Music plays an important part in our lives. We should embrace it activate the mind, body and soul.
Get together with family and friends, turn up the volume, play those tunes you find entertaining and meaningful, feel the energy and emotion that musicians have created for our enjoyment.
No matter our age, no matter our mood … music lives on.