Ann is a short woman with a round face framed by soft blonde gray hair. Today she’s wearing blue pants, sneakers, and a sweatshirt draped with Mardi Gras Beads – some are colorful and some spell
L-O-V-E. Around her…
13 Reasons to Sing with Your Grandchildren
My first grandchild, Leon Carter Rose, was born this past week. As many of you know, being a grandparent is just about the best thing ever. I know this to be true from only four days’ experience!
I can’t…
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Break the Silence in their Golden Years: Give Your Aging Parent the Gift of Music
I was talking with my friend Deb today. She recently shared my CD Songs You Know by Heart with her mom. The CD is loaded with 18 old-time favorites and includes hits like You Are My Sunshine, Side by Side…
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Finding Cherished Memories through Nostalgic Music
My mom died when I was 35 years old. She was only 58. She’s been gone a long time now and sadly, memories do have a way of fading. Here’s one memory I do have. And it comes to…
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Three Top Tips for Tuning into Singing: Insights from Finland
By Deborah Shouse, Dementiajourney.org - Guest Blogger
Mom was staring into space, oblivious to my brilliant smiles and cheerful conversation. So I started to sing, just to occupy myself. I chose songs Mom liked, such as Oh What a…
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Unwrapping the True Gifts of Music
Have you started shopping for the holidays?
I bet you’d like your gift giving to be meaningful and bring you closer together to the people you love.
One of my favorite Christmas gifts costs nothing. Better yet, I receive this…
5 Tips for Using Music when Visiting People with Dementia
The holiday season often means visiting with family and friends. Picture this familiar holiday scene: Friends and family you haven't seen in awhile are stopping by. Large groups of people are gathered and lots of conversations are going on at…
Practicing What I Preach
There was the year everyone got stuck in the snow trying to drive up the hill to get to our house.
There was the year no one wanted to play the game I thought would be so much fun –…
Lose on the Left, Retain on the Right - No this isn't about politics!
“Lose on the left, retain on the right.” Did you think I was talking about politics? No way!
What I’m referring to is what happens in the brain of someone who has dementia.
But let’s back up. I want to…Read more
What I’m referring to is what happens in the brain of someone who has dementia.
But let’s back up. I want to…Read more
