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Have you ever noticed that the important
events in life usually have a backdrop of music? How many times was there music when you were
dancing with someone that you loved? How
often did you sing songs in the car as you went on holiday? Did your family have special songs that they
sang to commemorate holidays or birthdays?
Was there always music playing in the background when you were at home? Try to remember those songs and sing them or
find the music on CD’s and play them for your family member when you visit them
in their nursing home.
If you can’t remember the music that your
loved-ones listened to, go online and find music that was popular when they
were in their late teens through to their 40 and 50’s. The titles of the songs or the names of the
singers might also evoke some fond memories for you. Maybe you can remember your Mom or Dad
showing you pictures of themselves swing dancing or folk dancing or country
dancing.
Below is a list of some songs from various
eras that just might help to jog your memory.
Singer Song
Title
Louis Armstrong All
of me
Bing Crosby Brother
can you spare of dime?
Ella Fitzgerald April
in Paris
Doris Day Que
Sera, Sera
Frank Sinatra Bali Ha’i
Fats Waller Won’t
you get off it, please
Hoagie Carmichael Rockin’ chair
Jelly Roll Morton Black Bottom Stomp
Individuals in their 70’s through to their
90’s grew up listening to Big Band Sound and swinging jazz. The names of bands to remember: Glenn Miller,
Percy Faith, Les Brown’s Band of Renown, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Duke
Ellington, Benny Carter and Artie Shaw.
These artists and bands are just the tip of
the iceberg. Even individuals that may
have lost the ability to speak will light up when they hear some of the music
from their heyday. You’ll see a
different side to them as they start to bop around or sway to the music even if
they are in their bed or their wheelchair.
You might be surprised to hear them humming along or waving their arms
to conduct the orchestra. Slipping a CD
into the CD player will enable you and your loved-one to strap on the seatbelt
for a trip down memory lane.
Dementia patients may not be able to
remember the words to the songs but they will liven up as the music brings to
mind good feelings associated with it.
Don’t be surprised if other residents want to join in and listen and
remember the songs that meant so much to them. Before you know it, you’ll have
spent some quality time with your loved one and you can leave them knowing that
you have brought them great joy and happiness as they get ready to settle down
for the night or their afternoon nap.
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