Alzheimer’s Disease is an irreversible and progressive brain disorder that destroys both memory and thinking abilities. Eventually, the person cannot even do the most basic tasks of self-care. It affects individuals of all socioeconomic groups, educational levels, ethnicities, and even afflicts a wide range of ages, not just the elderly. When it occurs, not only does it affect the person with the disease, but it also affects their family when they see their loved one going through the difficult process. Scientists have been studying this difficult disease for decades, but only recently have they discovered a new approach that has no negative side effects: music.
People afflicted with Alzheimer’s suffer one of the greatest losses in what should be a time of sweet reflection as we age: the loss of memories of people and happier times. The burning question for patients and their families is whether there is a way to bring back those memories to make them happier. The answer is yes. Recent studies have shown that after listening to certain music, people with Alzheimer’s can temporarily regain their sense of belonging to the events, family and friends that were previously familiar in their earlier life, but now lost in a fog. Generally, the type of music that is most effective to listen to is specific classical pieces or music they enjoyed in their youth. A solution to this problem is to raise awareness of the effects of Music Therapy. It should be a basic part of treatment that all assisted living facilities are able to provide it for their patient. If we are able to get everyone to get music therapy accessible to all people with Alzheimer’s, then they will be more able to remember memories, and thus making them happier.
There are about five million people in the U.S. with Alzheimer’s. It is generally caused by differing environments, lifestyles, and changing genetics, that wear down the brain. Though people of all ages get the disease, the average age of onset in in the 60’s. This is because the immune system is not as strong and in their prime years causing the disease to affect them more easily. Symptoms were first identified in the 1860’s but the disease was not discovered until 1906 (Alz) by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, when he saw changes in a woman’s brain tissue. (Alz) After she died, he studied her brain and discovered the pattern that became identified by the disease. He discovered that when a brain is affected by Alzheimer’s, there are many abnormal clumps called are now called amyloid plaques, and tangled bundles of fibers that are now called neurofibrillary. (Alz)
The brain is what allows us to see, hear, think, move, and make decisions by using chemical and electrical processes using neurons. (Alz) That is the reason why when Alzheimer’s Disease gets in the way of neurons trying to communicate with one another, it makes it difficult to do basic functioning we are normally able to do easily. (Alz) In early stages, people may start to forget small things like their age, people’s names, and where they live. They can have mood swings and become upset from small things. In serious cases, Alzheimer’s can cause people to lose memories, their ability to talk is usually impaired, they can become confused about their surroundings, and sometimes are not able to control muscles. Not only this decaying of the brain is hard on the person, but often even moreso on their loved ones. When former President Ronald Reagan was stricken with Alzheimer’s, the condition was brought into the public consciousness, and was said to be “the longest goodbye”. Because of this, it is important to make this process easier for the person and their family.
Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. There are only drugs that are able to help people with Alzheimer’s become more aware of their surroundings like Cholinesterase inhibitors, which boosts levels of cell-to-cell communication by providing a neurotransmitter that is depleted in the brain by the disease. Memantine or Namenda slows the progression of symptoms of Alzheimer’s in the brain. It can be used in both moderate and severe cases of Alzheimer’s. The medication is expensive, and it can be uncomfortable for people to swallow.
With music therapy, not only is the music pleasant, but it can temporarily bring back memories, and over time can re-structure the brain. (LiveScience) When people think and feel, they are using the left side of the brain. The left side is also where the Alzheimer’s disease affects the most. While the left side is deeply affected, the right side is still relatively intact. People sense rhythm on the right side of the brain, so when people listen to music, there is more brain activity seen. Medication comes with multiple side effects, but music is completely free of side effects, so it is healthier and more accessible. It allows people to interact with each other whether it is playing an instrument or just clapping hands. Music also lightens one’s mood. Though people know of music therapy, it is not widely accepted and not put into enough use. Some people may not have the insight to provide music for their loved ones. A solution to this is to make this effective tool more commonly known and understood.
Music therapy not only makes the average person feel upbeat and happy, but more importantly it is able to better the lives of people struggling with Alzheimer’s. By supporting those with Alzheimer’s, it brings both the families and the community together. Not only does it supports the people with Alzheimer’s, but it also shows their family that people are supporting them, and giving them a few more connected moments with their loved one or friend. Even if everyone contributed a few dollars, all of it would add up and make a difference. Today, about 5 million people have Alzheimer’s Disease. If every one of those individuals is able to get this therapy, the quality of lives for millions of Americans will be better. It is our ultimate responsibility as a society to care for those who have no voice.
Works Cited
"About Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's Basics." National Institute on Aging. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 22 May 2014. Web. 27 May 2017. <https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/topics/alzheimers-basics>.
"About Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's Basics." National Institute on Aging. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 22 May 2014. Web. 27 May 2017. <https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/topics/alzheimers-basics>.
AFA. "Education and Care." Alzheimer’s Disease and Music Therapy. AFA, n.d. Web. 27 May 2017. <https://www.alzfdn.org/EducationandCare/musictherapy.html>.
"Alzheimer Basics: Plaques and Tangles." Alzheimer's Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2017. <http://www.alz.org/norcal/in_my_community_20545.asp>.
"Alzheimer's & Brain Research Milestones | Research Center." Alzheimer's Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2017. <http://www.alz.org/research/science/major_milestones_in_alzheimers.asp>.
Elena Bmk Follow. "Psychopathology Virtual Project." LinkedIn SlideShare. N.p., 21 Oct. 2015. Web. 27 May 2017. <https://www.slideshare.net/ElenaBmk/psychopathology-virtual-project?qid=502e1130-e6ca-471b-b132-b401cd7faf57&v=&b=&from_search=21>.
"Home." Music and Memory. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2017. <https://musicandmemory.org/>.
"Music_Therapy_Science.pdf." Google Drive. Google, n.d. Web. 27 May 2017. <https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B22nV5XOIbSZd0FsRXRsdDB0bUE/view>.
Wolchover, Natalie. "How Music 'Awakens' Alzheimer's Patients." LiveScience. Purch, 18 Apr. 2012. Web. 27 May 2017. <http://www.livescience.com/19765-music-alzheimers-patients-memory.html>.
No comments:
Post a Comment