Zach Bridges Music & Production

Tonight I spent some more time researching the arts’ benefits to therapy, healing, and quality of life in healthcare, particularly in long-term care settings. Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases seem to be the overwhelming maladies in senior care situations. However, I am learning that in many cases, dementia sufferers have unimpaired memories and skills safely tucked away that can unlocked and activated with the right stimuli or with “redirection” (changing focus while still acknowledging a perceived need).

For example, a San Francisco-area elder law attorney blogged his experiences as a jazz musician playing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities (“Does Music Help Alzheimer’s Patients?”). He shared that many residents could tell him the name of tunes he played, and how the tunes related to their own lives, despite their apparent loss of cognition. He also referenced a study about four New Orleans jazzmen in their 80′s who had played together for over 50 years. At the time of the study, they did not recognize each other or know each other’s names. However, on the count of three, they all picked up their instruments and played “When The Saints Come Marching Home” perfectly.

As another example, Marlina Teich is a Bay Area jazz guitarist and singer who understands and pursues serving Alzheimer’s patients with her music. In fact, she started an organization called Jazzheimers to accomplish that mission. You can find press related to her efforts here.

My friends at Norfolk, Virginia-based Tidewater Arts Outreach maintain a blog that discusses the arts in healthcare. There is a wonderful video posted there which I’d like to share here:

This video is actually a trailer for a DVD documentary I Remember Better When I Paint: Treating Alzheimer’s through the Creative Arts which is narrated by legendary actress Olivia de Havilland.

As you can see, arts is a very viable and complimentary alternative to pharmaceutical-based Alzheimer’s care. By the way, if you enjoy timeless jazz standards, Marlina’s My Love Waits There is available for your enjoyment!

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“Greet each day with your eyes and ears open to beauty, your mind open to new ideas, and your heart open to love.” – Anonymous

For as long as I can remember, I have felt that music and the arts were powerful in affecting – and even changing – the mind, the heart, and the physical body.

Because of the many words of encouragement I received over the years and, more recently, my first-hand experiences with Tidewater Arts Outreach (TAO), I am convinced that I should further my musical interests, research, and practice into areas of “[promoting] human interaction, happiness, and healing for people who have limited access to the arts because of health, economic, or social circumstances” (quoted from the TAO website).

So for starters, here’s a link to an L.A. Times article I came across tonight. I’ll be sharing more of my findings and personal experiences in the days and weeks to come.

Peace & Blessings,
Zach

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