Last night I had the privilege of attending a CAPA sponsored screening of the new documentary Alive Inside. The film by Michael Rossato-Bennett follows the work of social worker Dan Cohen, who is the founder of Music and Memory. Dan began volunteering at a nursing home near his home. He was disconcerted by the over medication of elderly people with Alzheimer's, who are provided no outside stimulus. Dan began experimenting with music as a resource to activate these neglected minds. A person was outfitted with an iPod, with a playlist tailored to individual tastes. A pre-release video featured 94-year-old Henry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKDXuCE7LeQ Alzheimer's can't be cured or even treated very efficiently. But music seems to be the key to increased cognition. Not mention a great increase in quality of life. These folks have been infantalized rather than treated as they adults they are, with rich personal histories. Music and Memory has needs iPods! There is no funding for this work. Time and materials are donated. Apple has screened this film at its corporate headquarters. Last night Dan Cohen said, "Apple thought the film was very nice. Period." No question that they would donate products . Not only can they use donated iPods, Music and Memory encourages us to run iPods donation drives! I think it's a great idea. How much work is too much to see an elderly person smile and begin to sing Christmas carols to you after years of silence? Dan Cohen appeared on WOSU's All Sides with Ann Fisher as well. Hear him talk about Music and Memory. See musicandmemory.org and please make a point of seeing Alive Inside.
Christopher Purdy is Classical 101's early morning host, 7-10 a.m. weekdays. He is host and producer of Front Row Center – Classical 101’s weekly celebration of Opera and more – as well as Music in Mid-Ohio, Concerts at Ohio State, and the Columbus Symphony broadcast series. He is the regular pre-concert speaker for Columbus Symphony performances in the Ohio Theater.