Lanie was about at her wits’ end. Her husband Elmer had been a wonderful husband for almost 60 years. He had worked hard to take care of her and their children. He had always been her rock, and her source of strength and reassurance.

Now, deep into Alzheimer’s dementia, he needed her strength and reassurance – but it wasn’t always easy for her to find. She was often on the edge of tears. Elmer was also anxious much of the time these days, which only seemed to further increase her tension.

At their daughter’s insistence, Lanie finally asked elder care to come in and start helping out around the house. “Okay, Honey,” she had reluctantly agreed, “They can wash the laundry and change the bed every week.”

The first day the elder care aide came, Lanie immediately liked her, and felt much more at ease than she had expected. The girl was young, but mature, with a wonderful balance of warmth and professionalism.

Erika, the elder care aide, struck up a conversation with Elmer. Lanie could see how happy it made him to be able to engage with someone. Erika was patient as he searched for the right words. She seemed to enjoy the conversation as much as Elmer did.

At some point, the topic turned to music. Erika said that she had learned in her Aging Brain class at the university that listening to music was very good for brain function. She said it had been shown to relieve stress, anxiety and depression in older brains. She asked Lanie and Elmer if they had ever set up a playlist of their favorite songs from when they were young adults.

Lanie and Elmer looked at her quizzically. “Playlist?”

Erika laughed lightly. “Well, do you ever play your old favorite songs? Do you have CD’s?”

Lanie said that they had some of their favorite music in their compact disc collection, but rarely listened to it, for no particular reason other than they just never really thought about it.

Erika asked if they’d like to play one of their favorite albums for her each week as she was doing laundry. Elmer and Lanie both beamed. They thought that sounded wonderful! And so they did.

Each week when Erika arrived they picked out an old favorite to listen to. Erika did the laundry and changed the linen, as Elmer and Lanie danced and tapped their toes along to the music. Lanie began to notice how much better she and Elmer both felt every day after Erika left. They both felt much more relaxed. Elmer could communicate better, and they both enjoyed reminiscing over the memories evoked by the music.

After a few months, Lanie asked if Erika could start coming twice a week. She asked Erika if she would help transfer the music from CD’s onto an iPod that her daughter had sent. Erika was happy to oblige, and they spent some wonderful afternoons going through the music and putting together a personalized playlist for Elmer to listen to anytime he was feeling anxious throughout the week.

Both Elmer and Lanie felt much better with their favorite music as an active part of their life. They were so grateful for their elder care experience, which, without a doubt, improved their quality of life.

Sources
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/music-and-alzheimers/faq-20058173%23:~:text%3DResearch%2520suggests%2520that%2520listening%2520to,relatively%2520undamaged%2520by%2520the%2520disease.&ved=2ahUKEwjVkLjU8tbtAhUQt54KHXhjAD0QFjACegQINhAE&usg=AOvVaw0WvC28GpIsd9ubcMcZ1AY6

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Elder Care in Redington Beach, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.