Jukebox Jive by JeffHBlum
Music has been a powerful influence in my life, so it comes as no surprise to me that music has been shown to soothe the beast of Alzheimer’s disease for those afflicted by this hideous monster. For that reason, I took great interest in the local newspaper’s recent story, “Music & Memory program soothes, uplifts people with dementia” by Dean Olsen. The article explains the efforts of the program Music & Memory to bring personalized music to dementia sufferers to help trigger memories from happier times and improve their quality of life. I was delighted to learn that the Alzheimer’s facility in my hometown is a certified provider of the Music & Memory program for its residents.
There is a beautiful photo in the newspaper article showing a resident of the Alzheimer’s facility in town enjoying her favorite music. I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear after seeing how happy she looked with her headphones on dancing around. This is such a beautiful sight, I just have to share!
Continue reading “The Sound of Memories: Dementia Patients Respond to Music” »
I’m a huge fan of 
Broken Music is an intimate portrait of Sting’s formative years growing up in England and his musical path to eventual success. Interestingly, the book ends just as Sting takes off with the Police and doesn’t dish much on the band at all. It is a beautifully written recollection of Sting’s beginnings and what drove him to succeed as a musician.
Strange Things Happen is a hysterical ride through Stewart Copeland’s odd life and claim to fame. Just like his drumming, the pace of Copeland’s book is frenetic, loud, and in-your-face funny. He offers no apologies for the many tangents he explores, and his book shows how he embraces life and the strange opportunities that come his way.
One Train Later by Andy Summers tells the life story of the most experienced member of the band. Prior to his stint with The Police, Summers paid his dues in the musical trenches longer than the others before finding success. The book is a great testament to his love affair with the guitar and his perseverance in the music industry.
A good friend just shared her recent breast cancer diagnosis, confirmed by her doctor four days before the New Year. Needless to say, the shocking news has called into question all her plans for 2013 and changed her priorities drastically, all in one fell swoop. This life-altering diagnosis will change my friend’s outlook on life forever, and it’s a pretty crummy way to start the year. Weeks ago she was planning a fun vacation for 2013, and now instead she’s making decisions on how best to proceed so that she may live to see far beyond 2013. That’s quite a detour.
My father-in-law just died, and I am mourning the loss of our family patriarch. Because I grew up in a broken family without a father around, this man was the only father I’ve ever known. He was more of a father to me in the last twenty-five years than my own biological father has been in my entire lifetime. I called him Dad, and he earned it. I could not have asked for a better man to be the father figure that I always needed and wanted.
Today is Thanksgiving, and I’ve spent a wonderful day with my family. Try as I might to let the sun shine fully upon the holiday, a shadow has been cast upon the day as I reflect tonight. This was the first year that all of my parents, biological and in-laws, have been absent from the family celebration. Four Thanksgivings have come and gone since my mother died, but my father-in-law was not in attendance this year for the first time because he is in the hospital, his health in a precarious state for an eighty-eight year old. Suddenly my generation is the one responsible for the continuation of our family traditions.
Ever had one of those days where absolutely everything goes wrong? You know, a day full of setbacks and roadblocks, enough to make you feel like you just can’t do anything right. That was yesterday for me.
Tip of the iceberg? David Cassidy hits the nail right on the head once again explaining what is yet to come from the predicted Alzheimer’s epidemic due to aging baby boomers. The iceberg comparison adds a nice visual element to help people understand better. What we haven’t seen yet from Alzheimer’s is so much more frightening and devastating than what we’ve already encountered.
Back in April, 
Many enthusiastic and passionate supporters came out on a sunny and fiercely windy morning in Southwind Park for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on September 22, 2012 in Springfield, Illinois. Not only was the event a fundraiser, but it was also a moving tribute to those who currently suffer from or care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
A touching speech was made by a woman in her fifties who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease three years ago and her caregiver husband, both of whom stressed fighting as long as possible and dealing with the diagnosis as best they could.
The walk after the brief rally was somber and befitting the occasion as we all walked together around Southwind Park, each silently hopeful that some day there will be a cure found to stop the suffering from this horrible and frightful disease. I thought about my mother and family as I walked on their behalf, and I reflected on my greatest wish the entire time. Please let there be a world without Alzheimer’s disease for my children and their children.