Alive Inside

So coincidentally, every Tuesday I have been posting something related to older adult care, so I figured I would continue on with the tradition until the semester ends.  (Tuesday happens to be the day the entire class sits for Older Adult Health so this is not COMPLETELY random).

Alive Inside is a documentary which looks at the impact that music can have on our aging population.  Music & Memory, a non-profit agency, fills iPods with songs of yesteryear and distributes them to retirement homes across the country.  The documentary shows first had how music can remind seniors of their past and get them smiling, talking and even toe tapping again.  

In class we learned that this idea is grounded in the Reminiscence Theory.  Seniors are encouraged to share stories from their past with the hopes of increasing self-esteem and socialization, while they reflect on the past.  Many find the process helpful to focus on what they value and find meaning from their life.  

"Music imprints itself on the brain deeper than any other human experience," Sacks says.  "Music evokes emotion and emotion can bring with it memory" and "brings back the feeling of life when nothing else can."

Take a look for yourself and watch Henry's response!
The last two minutes are where it really comes together.

You can also check out Gil & Denise's story.