Henry is an elderly Alzheimer patient whose illness has progressed to a stage where he is unable to recognize his daughter. He spends most of his time unresponsive and stooped over, unable to answer simple yes or no questions. Then something magical happens. He is fitted with a pair of headphones and listens to music of his time. Millions have watched this video as it captures beautifully how he comes alive. After listening to music he is able to answer questions, talk about his youth, and even sing.
Henry is benefiting from the work of Dan Cohen, a social worker, who has shown how music can help people suffering from dementia. Dan’s work took off when he got funding to buy 200 iPods that he then supplied to four facilitates around New York. Soon there was a flood of stories on how music was bringing alive elderly patients suffering from dementia. The youtube video is a trailer of the documentary “Alive Inside” made by Dan that documents the stories of these patients and that will help spread the word on the power of music in helping patients. You can do your part by forwarding this on by liking or sharing this story or sending the link to someone who may benefit from it. Here are some resources that you may find useful:
Listen to NPR coverage. It also has some useful tips.
Dan Cohen’s non-profit to help elderly patients with dementia
Donate your unused iPOD/nano
How-to-Guides
The power of music on Alzheimer patients
Gil and Denise Story
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