Music Helps Seniors With Their Memories

​​​​​Music stimulates parts of the brain and music can enhance the memories not just of seniors, but of dementia and Alzheimer's patients as well. Dr. Laura Mosqueda, Director of Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine School of medicine, explains: "When an Alzheimer's patient hears music from their past, the regions of the brain that aren't damaged are reawakened -- subsequently, reawakening those memories." The benefits of music for the elderly have been studied for some time. The New York State Department of Health's Electronic Dementia Guide for Excellence (EDGE) Project, for example, has been recommending individualized music to reduce agitation for more than ten years. The Daily Doo Wop is a social media music platform dedicated to the music and memories of those who were young during the 1950s and early 1960s. At The Daily Doo Wop, people read about the music of that era, listen to it, and reminisce. After all, music is a great source of pleasure and carries emotional power. When we hear the familiar music we dated to, married to, and worshipped to, we recall moments from our life connected with those tunes.

Those who follow The Daily Doo Wop write, "I remember every word to that song but can't remember what I had for breakfast."  The goal is to have the songs make them smile and  remember who they with when they heard a song at a dance, were in a car and had their first kiss, or watched and listened to Lawrence Welk with a parent or  grandmother who is no longer here.

Dan Cohen, Executive Director and Founder of the non-profit Music and Memory documented the beneficial effects of personalized music therapy for dementia patients in the film Alive Inside. Cohen creates iPod playlists for his patients with the music that is important to them. This therapy does awaken the brain inside and result in better cognitive functioning, a reduction in agitation and some dependence on antipsychotic medications. Listening to their favorite music also alleviates some of the idleness and time alone that occurs particularly for dementia patients in nursing facilities. It encourages better functioning and can be part of the general treatment plan.

Studying the effects of music on memory continue. Cohen has five Music and Memory Studies occurring at the University of Wisconsin campuses.  The music industry has supported Cohen's work. Kenny Chesney did a public service announcement. Paul McCartney has donated some of the music he owns. Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys has also contributed.

The Daily Doo Wop is a time machine to the first era of rock and roll. The era starts around 1952 with the Eisenhower administration and goes until those longhaired Brits The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in February, 1964, and the music began to change. During this time of the 1950s and early 1960s, doo wop music, with its beautiful vocal harmonies, lyrics about love, and a host of nonsense syllables thrown in, was a signature sound. It was an exciting period in popular music as so many strands of music were woven together.  The Daily Doo Wop presents the music and pop culture of the time. All are welcome -- especially those who want to reminisce.