In the end of May I had a great conversation with Tryn Rose Seley, musician, singer and author of 15 Minutes of Fame: One Photo Does Wonders. We talked about music and how it can be used to help both people with dementia or Alzheimer’s as well as family members to reduce stress and stay connected.
Unfortunately, the recording disappeared into the black hole of Blab and the internet… the virtual equivalent to where socks go when they disappear from the dryer!
Thankfully Tryn shared some of her tips in writing so I can share them here!
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Therapeutic Music: Tips from Tryn Rose Seley
“]Overall advice: look at a person’s body language, the eyes, the countenance, the response: they’ll show you and tell you if the music is working well for them.
1) Try some music. 🙂
Play CDs, YouTube links, Pandora or other streaming online radio stations where you can pick a style that suits him or her. Connect on Skype with faraway family members who play piano, ukulele, squeaky violins or saxophones from the grandchildren….anything that makes a person smile.
2) Try music at different times of day.
- Does playing energetic or tranquil music first thing in the morning help a person get dressed and ready to go?
- Does it work better to play music during or after a meal? Is he eating, or singing? 🙂
- Does playing peaceful music in the evening (4pm on) help relax a person’s mood towards bedtime; and/or does playing live music with them help them expend energy towards evening, again leading towards restful times? Even at 3 in the morning if needed, choose music that either keeps them connected or helps them drift off to sleep.
3) Try your favorite music styles, since it can give you an energy boost or a relaxing experience. You deserve it too.
Thank you for sharing your tips about music with us Tryn!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Learn more about and connect with Tryn at CaregiverHeart.com
P.P.S. Find her book, 15 Minutes of Fame: One Photo Does Wonders*, on Amazon.
Great post, Tara (and Tryn!)
For my mother, we jammed to Reggae music in the mornings to put her into a festive mood. By midday, we moved to Nat Cole or Sinatra so she could croon along. And in the evening we slowed things down with Michael Buble.
Music generally keeps our moods high and gives us something to focus on beyond the usual frustrations the day can bring.
That sounds like a great day of music! My dad is a Frank Sinatra fan as well – we throw in some country tunes too… Willie Nelson and the like. Put on a jitterbug and we can sometimes get him to dance. 🙂
Dance on, you two. You’re a devoted daughter, Tara.
Brilliant, Andrea! I can imagine living very happily in the world you created for your mom. If you haven’t written your own book yet, I hope you will. Take good care, Tryn Rose Seley
Tryn – you need to get to know Dr Andrea Pennington! Amazing resources – I’ve done her Attunement Process course and it is amazing – great mindfullness / meditation training. > http://bit.ly/DrAndrea