An AD who is also a good friend moved to working in a memory care unit. She asked me to bring my program there.

Today I finished my 3rd gig in this unit. Most of the patients have some sort of dimentia.

I’m constantly amazed how responsive so many of the patients are...singing and some even remembering how to dance.

😊

Done plenty of those years ago,.....it's called The "Reminiscence Unit"
but refuse to play them unless nursing aids are in the room also for security.

... and don't forget your memory CARD! lol
(damn - you fixed it. Now I look silly)

I played at a half dozen memory impaired facilities near home, and even those in advanced stages still seemed to enjoy the musical entertainment. The pay was good, the staff was incredible and worked very hard to maintain some sort of life style for those afflicted with the various forms of dementia. However, as DNJ stated, you MUST have at least one, very attentive, staff member in the room with you at all times. Some Alzheimer patients in advanced stages frequently develop an unpredictable nasty streak and must often be restrained or they will charge up to your equipment and try to destroy it.

Sorry Dave, but that was not at all humorous, IMO. Dementia is a nasty malady that is usually fatal within 8 years, and it tends to have a detrimental effect on the entire family. Alzheimer's is genetic, and rarely skips anyone that has at least one parent afflicted with the disease. I've had many friends and a few relatives who suffered from Alzheimer's. It is horrendous to say the very least. My brother's wife no longer answers the telephone because she doesn't remember why it's ringing. She is just 72 years old, her mother, grandmother, an aunt and one uncle died of Alzheimer's in the
past 12 years. She has three children, all of which will likely go the same way.
Gary

Gary .... not poking fun at anyone. The title had a typo.

The title did have a typo.

I wasn’t offended. I figured out what Dave was trying to tell me and I changed the title.

+1 x 1000. In some ways it is worse than death. Jokes are NEVER appropriate for this horrible, horrible disease.

chas

Gary,

Tx for your input.

Some of the residents do have aggression issues.

Today one of the residents came into the area where I was playing. He was swearing and generally aggressive.

I switched to 50’s music and his aggression stopped immediately and he started singing.

Sorry, didn't see the explanation before posting, but what I (and Gary) posted is still generally true.

chas

I’m hoping we can stay on the topic of memory loss and music.

I’m thinking there are a lot of opportunities to help folks here.

After the gig, my AD friend and I started talking about songs/actions we could do together that would work in a memory care unit.