Music Affecting the Memory of Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States (Help End Alzheimers.). It is a common form of dementia categorized by a progressive decline in cognitive function (Simmons-Stern, 2010). According to the Alzheimer’s Association, â€Å"More than 500,000 seniors die each year because they have Alzheimers disease†. Therefore Alzheimer’s disease kills more people than prostate and breast cancer together (Help End Alzheimers.) Although there is no cure or treatment to slow the progression of Alzheimers disease it can be treated with medication, memory activities, and music therapy. The main classification of medication that is used for Alzheimer disease is Cholinesterase inhibitors. A noninvasive and inexpensive†¦show more content†¦A music therapy intervention was done on 17 Alzheimer’s patients and 11 had shown less agitation after music therapy (Witzke, 2008). Typically if an Alzheimer’s patient was agitate d, facilities would give medications or place them in physical restraints. On the other hand, using musical therapy is non detrimental and simple. Encourages reminiscing Patients with Alzheimer disease do not have the ability to remember facts and details but they do have the ability to remember long term things. Simply by hearing their favorite song can evoke a memory of an important life event or person. Listening to certain song may bring up different emotions. For example listening to a sad song might evoke the memory of the death of their spouse. Or listening to their favorite childhood song might evoke the memory of the fun childhood and vice versa. It is cost effective The amount to run this program in an elderly care facility is about $2,000. This price includes the webinar certification and equipment. This price also includes, â€Å"15 iPods, 15 headphones, 15 AC adapters, and iTunes gift card† (Help End Alzheimer’s). Non- profit establishments will receive a $600 grant to pay for equipment cost (Help End Alzheimer’s). The patient will not have to pay anything for this service. This is very cheap compared to other programs for Alzheimer’s patients, such as day centers. For an Alzheimer patient to stay at a day center it is around $150 dollars per day (Adult Day Care).Show MoreRelatedChildhood Memories And Its Effects On Our Lives1173 Words   |  5 PagesWe each have memories, both from long ago and recent times, that we hold dear to us. Memories get us through the hard days and keep us chipper in the good ones. The past is what makes us who we are. It shapes how we act, how we treat others, and simply just what we do on a day to day basis. Memories are the little things that keep this world running smoothly. Imagine what it would be like to lose those memories. 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