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As populations age and cases of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are rising, one program at Phoenix’s Musical Instrument Museum is proving to be the best medicine for some experiencing memory loss.
It’s called the Memory Care and Music series, and Marvin Perry says he wouldn’t miss it for the world.
“We love MIM. It’s my second home, sorta like, and we love the drumming,” Perry said. “They say it’s supposed to be good for you health-wise, I think mentally and physically connected.”
It’s kind of like music therapy.
“Particularly when I hear a song from the times when I was a teenager,” Perry said.
Like “Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner, which Perry and others play along to as part of a drum circle in one of the museum’s auxiliary rooms.
Perry’s wife, Roberta, got the idea from his doctor but says she was skeptical at first.
“We found out about it at Marvin’s neurologist appointment and I thought, we’ll see,” Perry said.
“And he loves it. A lot of times he’s not feeling well — he’s like ‘Oh I’m an old man, I’m close to dying’ and I’m like ‘OK, we don’t have to go drumming today,’ and (SNAPS) that guy is up, he’s outside!" Roberta Perry said.
And the Perrys are not alone. Each year, hundreds of memory-challenged music lovers come to MIM from all across the Valley for this program. Master instructor Frank Thompson leads the drum circle.
“What amazes me is that the science is now proving what we've all intuitively known, that music is a part of us and we're hardwired for it,” Thompson said.
“When you see people who can't remember maybe just a word or two, but then you put on a song and they remember it all, and it transports them back to where they were and also to where they are in memory. So that's the joy of what we do,” Thompson said.
The session also includes a 45-minute tour of the museum’s exhibits.
Nicol Elgin is MIM’s museum educator.
“That’s wonderful because they can see instruments that they recognize, hear music that they recognize,” Elgin said.
“They’ll sing some words or even sometimes you can just tell that they’re thinking about a memory, they’ll tear up, they’ll laugh. You can kind of see the light in their eyes, you can see the movement in their bodies, the joy,” Elgin said.
Danielle Pappas is here with her mom.
“It just gives me an opportunity to spend time with her being able to listen and look and and take it all in,” Pappas said. “She's a big Elvis fan and believe me she can really put on a smile and enjoy the music of her day.”
And what happens when she hears Elvis?
“Oh, she starts to sing the songs. Sometimes she dances. Last time we were here she actually got up and danced and so I had to get up and dance with her so that I could hold on to her,” Pappas said.
Recent studies have found music therapy is effective in treating Alzheimer's and dementia by helping to ease anxiety and agitation while aiding long term memory recall and improving social interaction.
But you didn’t have to tell that to Marvin Perry after he finished banging on those drums.
“Feels great! Yes it does indeed. Oh, it’s enriching!”
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