John’s Sing-Alongs Unlock Memories and Verbal Skills for Older Adults
John Meyer, the musical half of the ICS Communication team, performs sing-alongs for older adults in memory care. Adopting various personas and costumes, be-it railroad engineer, cowboy, Christmas elf, or leprechaun, John delights his audience with rollicking tunes from the patient’s past. Along with reciting poems from the past he sings love songs, seasonal songs, cowboy songs and more. John sings acapella. Unencumbered with electronic equipment, he focuses on connecting with his audience and encouraging them to sing along.
John brings his joie de vivre to delight his audiences of aging adults, drawing them into the music. Soon the audience is tapping their feet, clapping and singing along. Singing their favorite songs from a former era and hearing the recitation of familiar childhood poems prods the patient’s brains and delight their souls.
Dementia and stroke patients respond to hearing familiar tunes
Dementia and stroke patients have been shown to respond, even to walk, regain the use of hands, and voice words and music after listening to familiar tunes. Music and singing activates areas of the brain which allow dementia patients to reconnect with their surroundings and the present moment. At a performance at the Glenner Memory Center, for example, a patient named Bob joined the performance and harmonized perfectly. He remembered the lyrics to songs he had sung years before when performing with a barbershop quartet.
Check out John’s
performance on YouTube:
The positive effects of song on the minds, bodies and moods of dementia patients have been thoroughly documented in the press and media.
“Beyond the entertainment value,” writes the Wall Street Journal, “there’s growing evidence that listening to music can also stimulate seemingly lost memories and even restore cognitive function.”
“Recent research indicates that the systematic use of music can be an effective way to consciously manage your mind, body and mood.”
Tune Your Brain, by Elizabeth Miles, p.1
“Clinical trials show that music can improve your memory, regulate vital signs like your heart rate and blood pressure, control your pain, change your emotional outlook and direct your mental and physical energy levels through the day.”
Ibid., p.1
John Meyer is available for San Diego area-based performances. For further information or to booking, call 858-450-5343 or email cshadle@mac.com