So I found this touching article based on a documentary (Alive Inside) discussing how a patient with Alzheimer's, Henry, remains unresponsive and looks depressed due to his dementia... until he listens to his music. It is suggested that personal playlists "bring patients to life" because areas of the brain that are associated with music are still active despite dementia. So it is hoped that soon every patient experiencing dementia in a nursing home can have their own iPod that loved ones can load a personal playlist onto in order to make the patients more active. Even though the patients still may not recognize loved ones or speak, they become more aware and responsive when listening to music. As the article describes, Henry begins dancing and singing in his wheelchair to his favorite tunes. This is a rather heartwarming article whether you know someone suffering from dementia or not. I hope to live as my grandfather did, independent to the very end, but I know for certain that I will always have my music with me.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AlzheimersCommunity/alzheimers-disease-music-brings-patients-back-life/story?id=16117602#.T4i-JqyF9iE
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