Power Of Music On The Brain | Dementia & Parkinson's

If toward the end of your life your mind was fading away, would your favourite songs help bring your memories back? Subscribe to ABC Science KZbin 👉 ab.co/2YFO4Go
Catalyst takes you inside an extraordinary new program which is revealing that personalised playlists can re-awaken the brains of people with advanced dementia and even allow people with severe Parkinson's to unfreeze and move.
Along the way we look more deeply at the power of music in all our lives - why is it so emotional, so memorable and so powerful that even when much of the brain is gone, music can bring it alive?
Australians can watch Catalyst on ABC iview: iview.abc.net.au/show/catalyst
This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation KZbin channel.
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Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).

[@ABCScience]

What songs would make your life playlist? Tell us your tracks and why below 👇

[@misse1945]

To me it does not matter as long as it benefit the people who are in need of it and the nursing home is a blessing for them as long as it make them happy

[@FullTimeDosser]

LIL PUMP

[@maryknight3405]

Walking on Sunshine and It's the End of the World as we Know It would have to be my favorite songs to get moving. I walked in a walk a thon with my ex-husband and did 16 miles that night when no one else showed up. They are songs that make me feel happy and alive. I would hope it would include the Carpenters, the Beatles, the Monkees and Abba, as they were songs I grew up singing. Broadway songs would also have to be on the play list. My family loves theater and they hold so many good memories. The song Matchmaker from Fiddler on the Roof was done in my kid's high school and my three daughters sang it together, each in their chronological age singing the part of the characters in their age ranking. Proud mom moment. April is in My Mistress Face by John Dowland to remind me of time spent singing Madrigals in a choir. And Christmas music, all of it. I love the music and have taught classes about Carols through the ages. It would be certain to jog my memories.

[@raible9554]

BLACK METAL

[@devilcookie9924]

djent & metal core

[@shannoncavanagh2129]

I did a paper on how music effects emotions on Dementia residents in 89 and I was laughed at. This was before computers.

[@hippimamma]

❤

[@youss2248]

you're a hero

[@cheeseandonioncrisps]

I'd love to write a paper on that

[@carbonated_1304]

Truely ahead of your time

[@wilsonwong996]

People ahead of their times will always be ridiculed

[@karmelicanke]

in the 70's I nursed a 16yr lad who suffered a head injury and was semi-comatose. I played some popular music on a radio and nearly instantly, he was alert, looking for the source of the music, laughing and beginning to speak.

[@tamarabrown9364]

I have a head injury. It has been quite frustrating to remember what I’m doing constantly. I found that when I played the instrumentals to a song I had to learn, it helped me to remember things. I play brain games, study and learn new things constantly to get my brain back. It helps the most to learn new songs and relearn the ones I’ve forgotten.

[@karmelicanke]

@@tamarabrown9364 Dear Tamara, I'm wishing you well, sending hugs and prayers for progressive healing. Rosemaryxo

[@museluvr]

@@tamarabrown9364 Give your struggles to God.. the healer above all healers. God bless & prayers.

[@rexommendation7117]

@@museluvr Amen

[@lovelandfrog5692]

My husband suffered a head injury and basically had to be sedated while it healed after surgery. He was really out of it and couldn’t do much talking. But when when I played him the music he likes, he became so much more alert and happy. He could actually talk to me in a way that was coherent. It was so wonderful.

[@Gimilli]

this needs to be in every nursing home and aftercare facility on earth. music should be considered a basic human right. for people like this who have completely forgotten themselves to be able to get back what they love about their lives.... that is so powerful. my grandmother had dementia many years ago and i wish i knew about this.

[@Serendipityonyoutube]

Me too

[@papabear2515]

Please check out “Music and Memories” - the documentary and the non-profit organization. What they do is get iPods and personalized music into nursing homes and care facilities. PLEASE spread the word - the work they do is inspiring snd so important!

[@roxyiconoclast]

@@papabear2515 great advice. Also Music and Memory has a KZbin channel with a lot of info, including how to get an ipod program going to deliver personalized music to nursing home residents.

[@jfranco3842]

Yes ,and they need visitors 💖🔑💡again lonelness is pushing them to death🤔🙏✝️😪💖🔑

[@robertamassaro1598]

Absolutely 💯

[@GardeninGrace]

When the lady couldn’t remember who her son was, you can see she was somewhat embarrassed but the way the son said “That’s just life” made me ball my eyes out 😭🥺 We need a cure for this vicious illness too many people have their life ripped away from them because of their own brain

[@weneedmoreconsideratepeopl4006]

There is a way to treat it. Just not what people would expect or believe in. A natural, balanced diet and a life avoiding toxic heavy metals in any form (lead, mercury, nickel, aluminum, cadmium, chromium...). Those metals are found in some food additives, preservatives, oral fillings, or cookware. The body can't get rid of it and the disease sets in when too much accumulates...

[@adrianabalbuena2682]

@@weneedmoreconsideratepeopl4006 that’s an awful unuseful answer since the people we see here probable had a very much healthier childhood and young adulthood that the most of us, most probably including you. I just hope there’s a cure for when i’m old or at least i hope there would be less taboo and social punishment around euthanasia. I would not wish this for anyone, as a parent or as a son/daughter.

[@valeriemacphail9180]

ball 🥎 or bawl😭 your eyes out?

[@Suzi195]

I too, noticed her response to him saying he was her son. My take was that she was rather negative, not embarrassed. Not really glad to find he was her son. I felt she was responding to the fact that he had put her in a nursing home...and she wasn't happy about it. Just thoughts.

[@FortexVize]

@@weneedmoreconsideratepeopl4006 No it is not that easy. Sadly.

[@kdm222]

I am 65 and diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s ... fir now it is just my very short term memory ... I listen to music every every night and I know it helps💗

[@GoogelyeyesSaysHej]

There’s no need to limit it yourself to nighttime! Litsen while cooking, cleaning or gardening. There was a noticeable difference between my grandma who listened to music and sang all the time and my other grandma who didn’t. Good luck and stay well ❤️

[@daritykharkongor6544]

Maybe you can keep everything in a playlist!! Sending you lots of love and hugsn

[@rosamundmundy6966]

😔💖

[@RoxusRemo]

Hope you are doing ok

[@jgilmer]

How are you today love?

[@Ian-dn6ld]

It has to be said. The second lady seems like such a joy

[@lilbohbeat5785]

Can’t you just see how genuinely kind and sweet she is, right through to the core? ❤️ I really like her son, too. Really touching, beautiful stuff

[@sleepynoodlesromi]

She was making a few jokes, that's really heartwarming to see

[@thesparrow3902]

As my mother's Parkinson's progress she had a lot of difficulty speaking. Then, we got her a Music Therapist and my mom could sing!!!!!!!

[@skittles2055]

Awwh wow! 💕💫

[@peterbeyer5755]

You tube has stories of Parkinson’s sufferers dancing tango fluidly with partners and then returning to their stuttering shuffle afterwards, Parkinson’s needs more research to understand and develop effective therapies for this condition.

[@betsyannmorgan6713]

Amazing 👏

[@isaacruddell9942]

So your saying im going to have to bump Eminem as a 90 year old to remember my childhood, LETS GO!!

[@mablemoreland6567]

I believe you’re brain should only react to what moves you, in one way or another. How ever that moves an inactive brain can be progress.

[@poeter14]

Me at 90 : "Panda Panda Panda RRRRRAAAA"

[@arturogoleman5221]

Winner of a video, I've been looking for "what is the treatment of parkinson's disease?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Piyaliyah Prominent Prepotence - (search on google ) ? It is a smashing one off guide for discovering how to reverse Parkinsons disease without the normal expense. Ive heard some super things about it and my work buddy got cool results with it.

[@R.Williams]

😄 Well you'll probably already remember your childhood but not what you ate 30 sec. ago! It seems that those with Alzheimers can remember 80 years ago much better than 8 seconds ago. I'm already planning my playlist to give to my kids for when it's time!

[@katsim6799]

@@R.Williams For Akzheimers, its more about using the music section of the brain to access language when the language segment craps out. Seems to work well. Dogs do wonders to get people to respond and move limbs after stroke or other illness or injury. I would never have believed it until I saw my own dog work magic. It was as life changing for me as for that resident who could regain use of her hand and arm, only when petting my dear Star.

[@godsbread7892]

I guess i was ahead of the game...ive always played music for my patients...music from their day....always brought them to life. Sweetest thing ever

[@nuggetman92]

Me when I'm 90 years old and they play me my music: "I DID MY TIME AND I WANT OUT!!" * pulls neck muscle in the process of headbanging *

[@HOLY_FRIJOLES]

Overkill by Motörhead.

[@Heavymetal16]

Yeah slipknot is going to be up there for me aswell ! :p

[@NRVNQSRR]

Let's hope to whatever god that I even survive for alot of years. Just me blasting the hell out of Psychosocial.

[@ltcg1674]

Dying Fetus

[@jswhosoever4533]

🤣

[@alaningram515]

This brought me to tears. I loaded an MP3 player with music from 1948 to 1952 for my Mother-in-Law that had dementia. She sang along with The Ames Brothers, Jo Stafford, Frankie Laine, and so on. I had fun just watching her memory of the songs coming back. I miss her so much.

[@annalisefelix6154]

good on you

[@spitzbuben1978]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@sample.text.]

"It's a deeply grooved record to our memories and the people we have loved" Beautifully said.

[@sshh356]

We actually tried this with patients admitted in to the hospital and it really works

[@patsypryor9850]

wish i would've known this in the 8 years of alzheimers with my mother. I provided her favorite tv shows and could calm her, but nobody tried this.

[@clairelivefreeordie2551]

I'm hoping this idea really takes off. There's really something to this, I know!

[@skittles2055]

My heart goes out to your beautiful heart. Gosh I’m thinking how beyond essential and impactful this would be especially now with so many in nursing homes where I’d imagine they have even more isolation, loneliness and social deprivation. So many people of all ages anywhere could benefit as well. Best to you

[@115dancingqueen]

The Alzheimer Society had a regular "Singing for the Brain" meet. Shame you missed it.

[@marclewis7643]

You're not the only one, @Patsy Pryor. 40 years ago I lost my mom to dementia; this wasn't even thought of or considered, and I will regret it till the day I die.

[@izabellaquirino1743]

@@marclewis7643 I'm sorry for you loss. Please don't blame yourself. I am sure you did the best you could with what you had, with the conditions you had and with your knowledge at that time. This is what matters. It is not your fault.

[@cb5501]

Music should be intrduced to infants immediately. Music should be part of education from pre K to the end of life.

[@jaymeanderson5121]

Yep! Ever notice how all of the good musicians started really young?

[@cb5501]

@@jaymeanderson5121 most of the greats started young in music, art, and sports. They excelled because they had the combination of passion and skill.

[@cheeseguzzler6269]

@@cb5501 yep. It’s engrained to their brain because they learned it so young

[@captainswan3079]

I started music with my babies when I was pregnant with them.

[@OGDeeHiggins]

@@captainswan3079 same

[@dianarockwell6256]

One member of the sinking duo Jan and Dean had a car accident on dead man’s curve which was one of their songs and was in a coma for months. The other member of the duo brought in music and comedy movies to his hospital room and he finally came out of the coma. Music does amazing things.

[@lena-mariag.louis-charles3579]

Music is to me what oxygen is to others... When my darling Dad ended up in a coma (in 1998...), I brought a CD player to his hospital room. His face became peaceful, as soon as the first one of his favorite CD's started playing...

[@dearheart760]

This sort of thing causes me to think that in this time of isolation and political chaos we all need more music. Make sure you watch the man with Parkinson's! It's awesome and incredible.

[@skittles2055]

So true! 💕

[@frannygrace2191]

My husband has early Parkinson's and loves music--but can't dance a step--he never could. I wonder if he would be able to dance or just whistle and enjoy the music when the Parkinson's get really bad.

[@autumnphillips151]

I get as much music I can handle. Too much, probably. Every time I get angry, I put on my headphones-I pass an awful lot of time that way.

[@autumnphillips151]

What’s the last song you listened to?

[@randallhesse5011]

@@autumnphillips151 I'd love to change the world, by Ten years after.

[@loki6253]

How wonderful. Why are nursing homes every where not doing this? Heck with the last 2 months we all need this

[@CatherineCane]

They do! I worked in a care home for two years and they know how beneficial it is for people with dementia. They have musicians in to play for them often, and there are radios in every room. Of course these people are old so they often just want some peace and quiet hahaha, but most of them love music. It really lights them up.

[@elsajones6325]

Budget limitations

[@roseryan7231]

Usually it’s due to a lack of funding for this “Music & Memory” program, as the iPods cost $ & experienced people need to implement it into the nursing homes, plus you need approval by the nursing home Directors. You can still overcome these challenges with funding from various grants.

[@albertareid8850]

Amen!

[@Mrswedish10]

"Music is the key to the soul"

[@weneedmoreconsideratepeopl4006]

This. Underrated quote. Where is it from if you don't mind me asking?

[@KomalNirwan]

Absolutely!

[@donjuwann5868]

As I watched this I couldn't stop crying,my dear wide was diagnosed with dementia in 2005 and I watched her at home until 2009 at which time she was placed in a "memory" care facility,she played piano,her father had a band and I never knew about music therapy,to visit and see her with her head down lost in her own world,and I could have made her journey so much better is heart breaking

[@toead4186]

Don’t blame yourself i think given the hand you were delt you handled it the best you could and stuck by her side although hindsight is 20/20 you were loyal to the end and that counts for everything

[@danielwilliams2888]

That lady at the end... Betty. The "emotionless" lady. Jesus christ keep giving her a daily dose of music cus she has such a wonderful smile! That cannot be kept from the world.

[@wendyferreira6504]

I'm a patient care tech in Glen Burnie, MD and I've been singing to my patients for years. I don't know their favorite songs but they seem to enjoy it. 😊

[@papabear2515]

Wonderful! If I can suggest - you can take their age and then Google “best songs” of that era. I would suggest trying a few across various genres of that era - some jazz, some classical, some rock and roll, some pop ...and see which they respond to and then go from there. It is truly transformative. My mother in law has Alzheimer’s and we see first hand how she truly changes when she’s listening to the music of her teen and early adult years!

[@captainswan3079]

Aww that's so sweet!

[@MayimHastings]

Wendy, you have a special place in heaven for that! Hope you are well and happy. God bless,

[@jswhosoever4533]

@@papabear2515 I agree! And you wont regret learning some great classics!

[@papabear2515]

@@jswhosoever4533 you are so right! All the best to you and yours.

[@dreiandy3775]

my dad was diagnosed with dimentia/alziemers last month. that very moment when he had lost his memories i was singing his favorite song then he sings with me and began talking bout the way he used to share stories accurately and he was able to write few words. he is a music lover. he used to say that music is a form of therapy. he did proved it.

[@buckket8233]

Someone once told me that "I don't care what anyone says, if you don't like music, your a psychopath"

[@r.t.b615]

I came into my 70th season in 2020, my mom lived into her 90's+, my grandmother was into her 90'+ season too. I'm not afraid to go home to see Jesus and my mother's. I will ask all my kids to play my favorite music to me if I'm not in my home. I can see how music brightens the mind's memories, thank you for the documentary. God bless you 😇's.

[@R.Williams]

Make a list to give to them! My kids would have no idea what I love as their musical taste was completely different.🙂

[@jswhosoever4533]

@@R.Williams I shared this video with my mom and told her to make a list of songs that bring her back to her most pertinent parts of her life...for just in case/later.

[@user-tz8oq5qq9j]

I once worked with a nice women who had a stroke and had problems talking afterwards. Before she had the stroke she was a very good singer as I would later find out , very very talented. A few weeks in working with her ,her daughter put on her mothers CD and she started to sing along! It was such an emotional moment. We all cried :) Music is very very powerful and I hope we will use it more in Healthcare!

[@milky7200]

my dad works at a nursing home and he used to sing for fun during breaks for the old people's entertainment. his manager granted him an official time during his shifts to sing old hits now because she believes music definitely helps with the soul.

[@akansaslp8473]

Music isnt Just Sounds...IT is Motion and Emotion

[@gmrn3014s]

Me and the boys listening to gucci gang at age 90 to remember our childhood

[@emersonherrera4939]

😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@robertheinrichvonseyfenste267]

ME?????? The boys and I

[@pissypiscesdevilsoup9680]

the homies are better lol

[@lena-mariag.louis-charles3579]

💕

[@jaymeanderson5121]

I'll be over here head bangin' to Metallica!🤟

[@Kacey_Jaymes]

Some of my favorite quotes from his video: - "Music is a human right." - "It's like a side door into the brain." - "Music is absolutely pivotal in the course of human evolution."

[@VintageMillyBooks]

I have seen first hand the effect of music on those with dementia and it is astounding. The person literally comes to life and their recall vastly improves. I know that when my depression becomes unbearable, music is the one thing that helps me move forward.

[@Un1234l]

I have PTSD and C-PTSD. Memory issues are core symptoms. They have even linked memory PTSD to Alzheimer's and dementia. I can attest to not knowing who the hell I am and being confused, lacking a cohesive identity and not remembering the day before. When I was in the grip of trauma, I couldn't even register or listen to music. But now that a lot of the trauma dissipated, I think I'm finding music to be helping me regain cognition.

[@djgulston]

My grandfather has Parkinson's disease. It was his birthday on the 1st of September a couple of days ago. My father video called him and my grandfather could barely speak when he answered. Then we sang happy birthday and after we finished singing, he immediately said thank you without any struggle in his voice. He still managed to talk even more after the song. It shows how powerful music is, even if it's just singing happy birthday. Also, at my cousin's wedding in February, he actually stood up and danced a little bit, yet he could barely walk earlier that day.

[@maesingsmaeplays3407]

This is amazing!!

[@patricias5122]

This is a very sweet video, and I enjoyed it. One note to caregivers, from one who's been there: Never ask a a person with dementia an open-ended question like, "who am I" or "do you remember this"? It causes distress and embarrassment, as in the woman who couldn't remember who her son was at 3:38. But what a great, informative video.

[@racheltaylor6785]

Yes! Having also done dementia care, I caught that as well and cringed. Unfortunately, even when one is aware that, that is not helpful and often creates anxiety in the patient, it's hard to break the habit.

[@katsim6799]

This is true Patricia. Clearly the woman knows him, she cant find the right word for relationship.

[@Mariana-ud7dw]

I thought it was done deliberately to highlight the contrast between the before and after. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

[@josephinesetyadi9060]

@@Mariana-ud7dw I agree with you. They were doing this as an experiment.

[@susannahXD]

'We cannot talk about music's impact on our brains without talking about movement'

[@8bitjake816]

You don't listen to music, you feel it.

[@115dancingqueen]

In England there are weekly meetings in some areas called "Singing for the Brain" for dementia patients. People get together and have a sing song. Amazing how the words and melodies come back

[@musicisbrilliant]

This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD! Keep doing studies into this, please!!! Such an interesting topic!

[@drollopes6412]

U Spiiillly

[@OurEnemyScalion]

Love your profile picture!

[@skittles2055]

I’ll second that! For sure, beyond measure, important and impactful!

[@zs1dfr]

Please look for talks or books by the late Prof Oliver Sacks, brilliant neurologist and celebrated pianist who researched music in the treatment of neurological disease. Equally fascinating!

[@musicisbrilliant]

@@zs1dfr Thank you so much! I will! :)

[@gf-ry6qz]

Im making a playlist of music year by year. Maybe one will survive when im old. Maybe someone else will benefit from them. Yeah they might not be clean but they are of the time

[@wulfzendit1135]

Smart ideas we all get there eventually.

[@redhot663]

I saw this when I was volunteering for a dementia charity that provided holidays for dementia sufferers and their carers. Once a week there was a music day and the music would immediately make them all more coherent and open up and talk more to everyone.

[@LookItsTy]

I care for my Grandmother with dementia. It's amazing how some songs can just get her singing, laughing, and even dancing a little with her walker. It a beautiful moment when it happens so I try and play her favorite songs regularly.

[@matthewadun7104]

This really confirmed what my late my mother said being careful about music.

[@jwb2699]

What did your mom mean when she said be careful?

[@matthewadun7104]

@@jwb2699 To be very choosy about music

[@numbernine3436]

@@matthewadun7104 can you imagine the 90 year who had listened to cardi b's WAP 😳

[@armybeef68]

My grandmother used to ask, "Why are they screaming?", and that was back in the 70's.

[@lucasm4299]

@@numbernine3436 Ewww and I say that as Gen Z. Let’s stick to beautiful music

[@lydias2012]

My dad was a very educated man, well read, and had been a lawyer, teacher, and a judge. He was ill and struggling mentally in his last years. He had great caretakers outside and inside the family. He would watch 2 musical shows over and over. Singin' in the rain and the wizard of oz. I just wish I knew how powerful music is so we could have played more diverse songs he liked. He was so smart he knew music was important even then. Miss him.

[@lawmanlawreaper]

How wonderful that they find happiness even for a short time with the People they love.

[@armybeef68]

You know what would be really great, is if they were able to somehow record smells, I'd love to be 90 years old and be able to smell grandma's cooking again, or the smell of the neighborhood as I walked to school on a cold, rainy day, or the smell of the fireplace on Christmas morning, or the smell of a fresh cut lawn, now only if someone could come up with an invention like that.

[@twilliams385]

Scented candles to a specific smell could trigger certain memories. Maybe pine, cranberry, apple pie??? Just a few examples.

[@armybeef68]

@@twilliams385 You know, one time, I smelled hair pie, it smelled like fish, but it tasted like chicken.

[@nexiontech935]

Beautiful thing that music unlocks memories long forgotten....

[@steverdms]

That was simply incredible.

[@jwb2699]

This is my 3rd time watching this 😊

[@damiandziedzic6683]

Music is language.. it is always within us. bless the music

[@HOLY_FRIJOLES]

I’m not crying you all are crying 😭

[@copyrightstrike6949]

We are😭

[@amanteapasionado6836]

I need music in my life, I can't go 1 day without listening to it. Music brings me great joy, great memories, and nostalgia. If I'm ever in a home or somewhere I may not want to be, music would make me be able to excape.

[@autumnphillips151]

Same.

[@vinto34]

Music is like a reset button for the brain...for the time they listen it reactivates the memory.

[@narissayoung]

This is so wonderful :))))) I am in Canada, just completing a degree in sound therapy. The power of music is profound because we ARE music. Love that the science is coming out to show the world how this works! I plan to be working with Music and Memory in the new year!

[@robynbaynton14]

Good luck in your career! We Are music 🎶

[@everydayhero3610]

Me and my boys in 60 years listening to Everywhere at the end of time stage 4

[@ls-rk6hw]

the fact that i just came here after finishing stage 4 lmfao

[@monomate]

imagine getting brought back to reality for a few moments because of hell sirens

[@holyfeline715]

I was thinking of eateot

[@thatfeeble-mindedboy]

I noticed this but I don’t know what it means ; look at how quickly, at about 2:10, John captures the tempo and the beat and starts to move, and flashes through the database and locates and loads the correct song, fast forward up to where the song is at the moment, gets the teeth of the “beat” gear or cog synchronized with the teeth of the playback cog, and the pitch oscillator tuned with the playback, and just drops himself in ...correct tempo, on the beat, singing the right words, AND AT THE CORRECT PITCH, within what, maybe 2-3 seconds of the first sound? That’s nothing short of astonishing. Much later, at about 27:00, Betty, who otherwise struck me as being more lucid in general than John. In this scenario, however, it appears to me that she takes a little longer in her recognition, struggles with words, assumes her own tempo, seems oblivious to the pitch, but decides it’s too high and drops her voice an octave. I would not be at all surprised to learn that even when in full command of her facilities, that while she could and would sing, it was always a bit dicey, and she had to really sustain effort and concentration to do it; and that John was well known for singing all the time, and was always able to sing along and with no training, sang well, had a good voice, and appeared to do it effortlessly, and clearly enjoyed it. What makes this so astonishing is that someone like John can have such a profound loss in some of his brain function, yet considering what has to be in place in order for him to be able to do what I described about him joining in so quickly, that all of that appears to be completely intact, existing and functioning right next to the part that is gone. It’s like, ‘this blob of gray jelly works, but this one doesn’t’ ... this is just an incomprehensible disparity to me.

[@roxyiconoclast]

Speaking from my own experience with DIY music therapy, people can benefit from this kind of thing even if they are tone deaf and profoundly unmusical (as I am). Another thing I’m finding is that I actually get more benefit from finding new music that I like, learning the lyrics and singing along - even in languages I speak poorly. Not sure the new music approach would help people with profound memory loss, but it works for me. A neurologist told me that the most important factor for seeing dementia benefit is being “engaged” with the music. Singing along and moving one’s body are ways to engage with songs.

[@skittles2055]

Love your comment!!

[@animcmillan5240]

Neil diamond kept me emotionally sane when I was in a really emotionally harsh marriage.

[@ladycat4658]

I always did that to my patients!!!! and its true they bring them back to life!!!!! in such beautiful way

[@papabear2515]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@jack1d1XB]

For anyone involved in the treatment consider this, whilst the music brings memory up it may in fact be the soundwaves/frequencies stimulating nerves to area's of the brain that release various hormones/chemicals that reactivate cognitive functions. Each stimulus phase is then re-knitting memories together which then gives the client foundation blocks for self identification purposes recreating their persona. In turn it's helping them to re-gain confidence in themselves relaxing them as a result. Whilst not all aspects can be repaired it maybe enough to establish a strong enough foundation for them to manage everyday functionality. Please please trust me on this and look into this!!!!!

[@usbhub95]

my idea is that the music is a strong stimulator of the existing neural pathways that are usually disconnected, providing a brief moment of clarity in those who cannot usually manually stimulate those pathways like we can when we recall things

[@usbhub95]

i doubt it reactivates any cognitive functions as alzheimers and dementia are categorised by neurological damage, which is irreparable at this stage of human scientific development

[@baxoutthebox5682]

You can see that the type of music influences different parts of the brain. By your hypothesis, you could simply emit sine waves at targeted frequencies to create meaningful effects in patients. You could even use the therapies with deaf people because it’s supposedly the physical movement of sound waves that cause the effects you describe. But these therapies are promoted by hippies and not the scientific community. They’re not shown to be significant beyond the placebo effect.

[@rossmandigo9984]

music is magic! its amazing that you can pick up the lyrics to a song 20 years after hearing it.

[@papabear2515]

The area of the brain that processes and remembers music is the very last area of the brain to go.

[@claudiavirginiaalarconbena7171]

Who knew that something as simple as music could trigger such memories of one's youth in our seniors! Keep in up! Don't stop!

[@emmajsanders5275]

Music, just what the doctor should order for dementia patients AND comatose patients. My sister had an aneurysm & after her brain operation, doctors said after a month in a coma, that she would not wake up. It’s been too long so they want to send her to a rest home! Her 3rd son refused to send her & said, “my mom is walking out this hospital!” He brought to the Hosp a radio & his mom’s favorite music. He began playing her music, her eyes began to flutter & her feet began simulating “tapping” to the music. Doctor was called in but he said the reactions was automatic due to some stimuli we are not aware of. Then he left. The music continued to play then her eyes opened, her fingers were snapping to the music, & feet moving to the music. It works people! You don’t have to have dementia to test this. Change your day, play music you love, soothes the soul & lift the spirit! My sister walked out that hospital a few weeks later! Hallelujah!

[@polstam9202]

That is beyond amazing! Hope she is doing well.

[@meoohmy3231]

My nephew is a nurse/musician and applied a very similar technique (he did a CNN interview on the subject) and it is an absolutely amazing concept!…DEFINITELY needs to be an implement used in nursing homes and brain injury patients. Brilliant work on this!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@ianwilkinson4602]

When you really think about it, all this is just common sense. Music has such a profound effect on the whole brain, it is a trigger to so many memories and emotions it has to be beneficial. I have listened to all kinds of music consciously for sixty five years, it has given me all manner of "thrills"depending on the genre of the music being played. Why has it taken so long to be recognised as such???

[@dajosh42069]

Incredible. Just...absolutely incredible. Brought me to tears watching these elderly folks become animated and singing... it's so beautiful to see this.

[@cheeseytacotime9380]

Dougs Mum is such a kind soul, so sweet.

[@yvonnesokoll8790]

What a brilliant documentary!! I am deeply moved and it should be acknowledged worldwide ....as well as be used worldwide in all the mentionned fields ( Dementis, severe brain injury, Parkinsons disease etc) ....it is wonderful !! I will create my own favorite memory music lost- just in case !! Thank you so much for posting this !

[@skittles2055]

Right!? Something so deep and powerfully impactful here

[@nicolewurster1187]

This is the most remarkable way to remember precious moments made in life. I recently watched a ballet dancer with dementia remember how she danced in Swan Lake apon hearing the music played in the production. Made me glad to have music exist in this world, and brought a few tears to my eyes.

[@dariapoklemba2150]

I saw that video. It was breathtaking

[@kerrijodierberger]

@@dariapoklemba2150 I would like to see that video. Can you please tell me where to find it. Thank you

[@joaotopi]

If the nostalgia is great already from music we know from 10 years in the past. Imagine now, music from 60 years in the past, that u don’t actually listen to for decades. That must be a real powerful feeling of waking up memories !! Just pure goldy joy

[@autumnphillips151]

That’s just it, though-I really don’t think there will ever be music that I once loved that I haven’t listened to for decades. I spend so much time every day listening to music that I’ve just recently found as well as music from every other period of my life-there isn’t any music that belongs only to one portion of my life. Maybe that will change in the future, but I have a hard time imagining a future like that.

[@joaotopi]

@@autumnphillips151 i understand u But those old people came from a time when they didn’t have internet, smartphones. I believe then it is even crazier and greater the nostalgia for them..

[@mablemoreland6567]

Music is great for all ages. It calms the mind and brings back personal memories, of the past that means much to us.

[@tinyfreckle]

That study on how oxytocin release is so much more when singing togethqr explains why people make such strong bonds in musical theatre and why people used to sing working songs together.

[@tikiweshe]

... and church!

[@Crackrzz]

My Mom is 76 and starting to develop dementia. She still lives home, and when I put on the TV station with the oldies music, even if she dozes off, she sings. And remembers things about the artists sometimes. And sometimes she just sings to herself, even dozing off. I've meant to do something like this for her if she ends up in a home.

[@BlindingDarkness1111]

Amazing how art has such a long, deep relationship with people. Drawing, dancing, music has been with us as long as we have been a "us." Such a cool thing to know... 😌

[@skittles2055]

That is actually so cool, and really says a lot about it’s meaning and significance at our cores. And it also is the kind of stuff that seems to all to often be ‘the first to go’ during funding cuts or institutions of control deciding what is essential, etc.

[@BlindingDarkness1111]

@@skittles2055 I agree. Art is our connection to the misty past, the turmoil of the present, and our hope for the future 😁

[@skittles2055]

ZoomyBoomBoom 😊 artfully stated 💫

[@BlindingDarkness1111]

@@skittles2055 Thanks 🌼🌼

[@PhateRucker]

gonna be 105 listening to my 2017 spotify summer rewind lit af XD

[@StephJ0seph]

it's weird that the grandparents and old people of the future are going to be using terms such as "lit af" in their old age lmfao

[@dearheart760]

I wish i had seen this a long time ago before my Mom died of Lewy body dementia.

[@papabear2515]

I am sorry for your loss. And I also wish I had known this when my dear grandma was alive. What I do know we can do now, is spread the word at every opportunity to everyone ... encourage them to watch the documentary “Music and Memories” - they will see, like in this presentation on KZbin, what an amazing difference music can and does make.

[@catacrunch_art]

I would like to know how our brain reacts when we are in a restaurant, on our birthday, and suddenly the waiters/waitresses start coming over to your table singing happy birthday to you XD

[@kristinebailey2804]

At that moment my brain cringes, abhorring attention from people I don't know. : )

[@twilliams385]

Lol

[@alinesimon3330]

I believe this is so awesome!!!!! GOD BLESS THEM....

[@minustaco42zero24]

7:13 that guy saying music is better than drugs is great because it's true music can let you travel thru times past in your minds eye. This is wonderful and the one lady is right music is a human right and when I don't hear music I get very antsy and anxiety filled.

[@cheeseytacotime9380]

Oh jeez you’ve got me crying now

[@earthsteward70]

same, oh my god.

[@copyrightstrike6949]

Me too😭

[@jjai471]

It has been found with the elderly, that a chronic urinary tract infection can mimic dementia symptoms and, in some cases, violent outbursts for no reason. It's a urinary tract infection but has not the usual symptoms like in everyone else - urge to urinate, irritation in urinary tract etc. One doctor said the nursing homes are full of people diagnosed with dementia and senility and, when some are given antibiotics to cure the urinary tract infection, all the symptoms of dementia, etc, go away. That is, if it's really a urinary tract infection causing the symptoms of dementia and/or sudden violent outbursts. In some cases, it's actually dementia. Pays to get it checked out. If a doctor refuses to check your elderly relative/friend/etc for a urinary tract infection and they were diagnosed with dementia, find another doctor who will. In fact, if the urinary tract infection is causing the dementia symptoms, when antibiotics are given, within a few days, all the dementia symptoms are gone gone gone.

[@roxyiconoclast]

That’s good to know. My mother had severe Alzheimer’s and also an autoimmune disease that caused her to get frequent infections of various kinds. I noticed that her Alzheimer’s improved while on antibiotics, and her geriatric specialist said it was because antibiotics can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the brain. (Not sure if this applies to all antibiotics, or just the ones she was taking.)

[@cassieblack1776]

I worked at a senior living facility and I would sing to patients and more times then not they would sing with me word for word. I watched a similar documentary called alive inside , when I started to cry 😂 it was so inspirational and heart wrenching. It Livened them up almost instantly and bright then back memories . People who stopped speaking spoke again.

[@denisewood1528]

How sweet. Their eyes light up. Though I can't imagine putting my Mom in a nursing home. I'm proud to say she is almost 91,lives on her own,does her own banking,cooks and cleans with no assistance. I take her grocery shopping and we go to church together. Yes,sometimes she forgets and repeats the same stories,but that's just a way of remembering things.

[@misse1945]

Very interested look like it is important to do this especially in the nursing home

[@mablemoreland6567]

Yes! It can be a stimulant to those who cannot speak or communicate any other way. I witness a 69 yr old man (who had a stroke) and who had not been able to speak for over a month, tear up when his son played some of his favorite music (by his bed side). Something clearly was happening.

[@jewelramsey1491]

I am a firm believer that music is great for the Mind, Body , Heart & Soul!

[@baverfjant]

That lady who for a moment forgot who her son was, was absolutely amazing. She haven't lost her joy and laughter that's for sure!

[@2eleven48]

My mother had advanced dementia, and was slumped in a chair, head down, among other similar folk when I walked into the lounge of the care home where she resided because I could no longer cope, and as I came up to her to hold her hands and kiss her head, her soft white hair, 'Moonlight Serenade' by Glenn Miller came playing into the room and I rose her up and we swayed together, she holding tight, responding to the music of the war years. It didn't matter that she didn't who I was. Robert UK.

[@ceetiguilamoreno2550]

We need to bring this to USA . Sadly the study of helping people with illness are few far between.

[@roxyiconoclast]

It already is here in the US. See the documentary “Alive Inside” and the KZbin channel for the Music & Memory project. Plus there are professional music therapists. Just wish more people knew about this! 😊

[@weneedmoreconsideratepeopl4006]

@@roxyiconoclast That's amazing. Thanks for sharing. 👍 Also professional music therapists? Is there a name for them or that profession/industry?

[@hsm906]

@@weneedmoreconsideratepeopl4006 it's called music therapy.

[@adixiarugamikaaganze2260]

Music makes a person happy💃💃👌😄

[@andreasvandieaarde]

This is one of the greatest things to touch the internet. Truly amazing. It's pure, it's powerful, and it just means so much.

[@marlojustine]

Thank you so much ABC Science for featuring this amazing documentary. Please continue doing these kinds of inspirational and scientific studies. I just feel for those elderly who had lost their memories already and then when they hear a certain music that deeply affected them, there is a sudden progress in emotion and recall.

[@meagain9987]

I am really wondering what kind of person would downvote this video - I feel kind of sad for them. This is a wonderful video!

[@guillermozapata9167]

will my family cringe when they're playing me the evangelion theme in the nursing home?

[@guillermozapata9167]

because i will

[@brendaking737]

What a wonderful video. I’ve always believed that music is the universal language. I was a radio DJ for a while and my show was “Traveling around the World with music”. I would play music from all continents during my show. Even though you couldn’t understand the words, people really enjoyed the music and would call in with appreciation.

[@thepianoplayer416]

It's interesting that music stimulates the brain even when memory starts to fade. in some cases even help to reduce people's drug dependency. A few years ago met a retired man in his 70s who started learning piano so that he can play the piece he heard his father play many years ago. Assuming that he had little experience in music although he may have taken lessons in the past, he quickly mastered the piece. The man uses prescription painkillers regularly that supposedly help him cope with his anxieties. The music playing continues to this day and the prescription medications as well. Not sure if the music has a strong enough effect for him to do away with his medications totally or even partially.

[@andrewmiller4885]

This is incredible !. What a job , what dedication, and love and care by these folk who look after the aged and infirm . and the amazing results music of their era can produce . Im not sure whether im blown away by the discovery of music as a relief or even healer , or by the love these doctors and staff have displayed for the sick and elderly in this video . Both I think , amazing , simply amazing . A most informative video , Thank you so much .

[@skittles2055]

Indeed! 💕

[@Carolynnin]

Music is the Magic! This is beautiful. Music and Memories should be in every nursing home and dementia care facility in the world!

[@Bloodpix]

I'm happy to find this because my grandmother has dementia but we've kept her out of nursing because we're certain she'd regress with the unknown. My mother drives over almost every night and either takes them out to dinner or cooks for them, I'll be sure to ask her to bring some of her favorite music.

[@denisehamernik806]

Music is the mystical medicine that penetrates the walls that block the consciousness of the minds of people who are suffering from a multitude of illnesses. It opens up the pathways of communications because it is a happy pleasurable memory. It gives instant recall of past experiences and motivates people to move and gives them past recollections that makes them come alive again ❤

[@psychedelicmusings]

Music is the portal to the soul 💕

[@peanutbuttertoast7742]

*the power of music is truly amazing!*

[@erikcallaway7051]

Every time I see these, they make me cry. These therapists are doing amazing things.