• Welcome: Start Here
  • Resources
    • Disclosure, Privacy, Sharing Policy
  • Shop
  • Gift Guides
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Passing Down the Love

Create lasting memories, one moment at a time.

  • New Grandmas
    • For New Grandmas
    • Grandma Shower
  • Being Grandma
  • Fun with Grandkids
    • Do Things with Grandkids
    • Go Places with Grandkids
    • Feeding Grandkids
    • Celebrate with Grandkids
    • Reading with Grandkids
  • Help Them Remember
  • Tips from Gram

Music and It’s Relationship to Memories

16 Comments

Feel free to share!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Music and Memories

M is for Music and Memories

Music and It’s Relationship to Memories

Research shows that music and memory are closely related.  Music can elicit memories from a particular time in your life, triggering forgotten emotions about relationships, love, joy, fun, tragedy, heartbreak or loss.  The mind creates a place deep inside where these memories are stored.  Hearing those songs can bring back vivid recollections of the past at times when you least expect it.

Read: Music Makes Memories More Magical!

Music and Memories

Dan Cohen, founder of MUSIC & MEMORY® began a program which introduced iPods and MP3 players to dementia patients at care facilities and in their homes.  His research showed that an Alzheimer’s patient could be reconnected to the world through music.

In a CBS interview, Cohen said: “Our senses — sight, smell — really light up a very small part of the brain. But music lights up many parts of the brain. So even though the brain may deteriorate in certain areas, other areas of the brain are still very much there”.

Every time I hear that song, it brings back memories of you.Click to Tweet

In 2012, “Alive Inside:  A Story of Music and Memory“, a documentary about Cohen’s work, was shown at Rubin Museum of Art in New York City.  The video clip of Henry, included in the documentary, went viral and the world became increasingly aware of the influential, positive work of Music & Memory.

Download your Coloring Page of “M” Words

I was moved by this video of Henry, who was one of the patients first impacted by Dan Cohen and his work.  His reaction is priceless and was instrumental in increasing awareness and boosting support for the Music & Memory program.

This post includes affiliate links to products, including Amazon and other merchants. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, we may be compensated a small amount at no additional cost to you.  See full disclosure here.


Today, MUSIC & MEMORY® Certified Care Organizations bring personalized playlists to the residents worldwide.  They collect donated Apple Music players in working condition and take donations to support their work.  Do you have a gently used iPod that you no longer need? Help MUSIC & MEMORY® spread the music and find your iPod a good home with someone like Henry.

Keep Passing Down the Love,

kimberly signature

 

If you missed the previous posts in the #AtoZChallenge series, click here for the complete list.

8 Ways to Rock Turning 60 Years Old

10 ways to Increase the Laughter in Your Life

25 Old-Time Board Games to Play with your Grandchildren

 

 

Feel free to share!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: A to Z Challenge 2018, Preserving Memories

Ready to UP your Grandma game?

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive 50+ activities to share with Grandkids!

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.  Check your email for your free gift!

« Awesome Things to do With Grandkids at Lake of the Ozarks
Outdoor Activities for Kids: Passing Down the Love of Nature »

Comments

  1. Becki Svare says

    May 20 at 5:00 PM

    My mom has dementia and music is a huge part of what she enjoys right now. I’ve started playing movie theme songs from the 1940’s and she loves them! I know it brings back memories for her, but she’s not able to verbalize them. Music matters!!

    Reply
    • Kimberly says

      May 20 at 6:29 PM

      Dementia can be such an ugly, sad thing. Bringing a little joy through music can feel good and be so encouraging!

      Reply
  2. Lori Hill says

    May 19 at 5:49 PM

    I love this and it’s oh so true! When my daddy was “out of it” at the end of his life I would turn on his music and he would tap his foot and sing along!!

    Reply
  3. Grammy Dee | Grammy's Grid says

    April 30 at 2:06 AM

    Love this post and I can relate as some songs take me back to when I was a child, others back to when I was a teenager, and so on. Shared your post x 4 ♥

    Reply
    • Kimberly says

      April 30 at 6:17 PM

      The video really touched me. I had to write this post about it. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  4. Pamela Shank says

    April 29 at 9:23 PM

    So true. Music does bring back memories for me with every song I hear…I relive that time in my life. Beautiful video.

    Reply
    • Kimberly says

      April 30 at 6:18 PM

      I agree, Pamela. It’s funny how even a few notes of a song can bring back a time in your life!

      Reply
  5. Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle says

    April 26 at 9:40 PM

    What an amazing video you shared. It was very touching and awesome to see the effects of music on the mind. I shared this and sent if to my husband who loves and plays music.
    Via Blogging Grandmothers

    Reply
    • Kimberly says

      April 26 at 9:51 PM

      Kathleen,
      It really is a wonderful project to help dementia patients. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  6. Helen Reynolds says

    April 18 at 2:05 AM

    I love music! It is such a big part of my life and memories!

    Reply
  7. Shirley Corder says

    April 16 at 1:33 AM

    Kimberley, this is a beautiful post. And what an amazing video! Thank you for sharing. My mother-in-law spent her last years wrapped in a cocoon of Alzheimer’s. How I wish I’d known then about this therapy! Next post in the challenge: N is for Nourish your Life, Nourish your Mind. #atoz

    Reply
    • Kimberly says

      April 17 at 3:20 PM

      I thought it was a wonderful thing to know about. I’ve not faced it personally yet, but my parents are getting older and you never know where life will lead. The video is really moving, for sure!

      Reply
  8. Leanne says

    April 14 at 11:10 PM

    I thought I’d commented on this already Kimberley because there have been several AtoZers who have chosen Music as their “M” word – it’s such an important part of our lives isn’t it? It’s lovely that they can use it for dementia patients to make their lives better. I know that there is a song (or ten) for every stage of my life – particularly those turbulent teenage days!

    Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
    M for Make It Happen

    Reply
    • Kimberly says

      April 16 at 11:13 AM

      It is so fortunate that they have recognized the link for those with Alzheimer’s and that they are acting on that information. Otherwise unreachable people are being touched in a positive way!

      Reply
  9. Arlee Bird says

    April 14 at 1:16 PM

    Music taps into my deepest memories. When I was a small child my parents had music everywhere in our house and I immersed myself in music. There are so many of my life events and phases that correspond to musical memories. I enjoy coming up with “Life Soundtracks” to facilitate memory.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    Reply
    • Kimberly says

      April 16 at 11:16 AM

      Touching your deepest memories – that’s the key for Alzheimer’s patients as well. They can be reached through those deep memories through the music when no other method has worked. I, too, enjoy playing music from my younger days and recalling where I was or what I was doing when I first heard it.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

kids subscription boxes
Sprinkle Pro Theme by Restored 316 * Copyright KR WebWorks LLC *Passing Down the Love* 2017-2021 - All Rights Reserved © 2021