![]() When everything about ourselves becomes lost in a fog of undistinguishable memory patterns, when we can't access our life experiences to assess our situation and surroundings – what's left of us? While short-term memory is generally the first affected by dementia, eventually, even earlier memories become blurry as people affected start to forget situations, loved ones, and entire chapters that define their lives. ![]() Sometimes, the natural forgetfulness caused by ageing can be the first sign of dementia: a deterioration in cognitive functions that affects every aspect of one’s life, from memory to language and learning abilities. Often, retracing memories becomes harder as we get older. On average, we start remembering things from the age of three and then go on storing information in our minds throughout our life. The ability to store and access certain moments experienced in the past is innate in the human mind. This article aims to shine a light on science and art trying to describe the connection between music and cognition, prevent memory loss, and improve people’s lives in the process. He also told me about how sounds can help bring to life memories long gone in an almost cognitively impaired person, and I got so curious about the topic that I started delving into the science behind the benefits of music in people affected by dementia.īefore that evening conversation with Robi, my only knowledge on the subject was a magnificent album I’ll talk about later, recorded by an artiste who wanted to recreate the mental decline of a person affected by dementia through sounds and melodies.Įmbedded in the fabric of human identity, music gives access to bygone memories but also helps us understand sensations that are hard to perceive when not experienced first-hand. He explained the endless possibilities offered by new technologies and the positive effects of virtual reality on the well-being and preservation of memory. Robi has a creative mind and a gentle soul, so I wasn’t surprised when he told me he’s now the content manager for a company running a number of elderly care homes across the UK. The struggles and challenges of those months created a special bond between us, and even if we rarely see each other, I feel a strong connection with him. In the mid-2010s, Robi and I worked together for a year on a creative event that proved to be one of the most taxing endeavours of my work career. While in London a couple of months ago, I had a coffee with a friend I hadn't seen for two years.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |