Musical Memory and Alzheimer’s
But although barely able to identify their children, or even themselves, they could both clearly recognize familiar music. In church, ED joyfully led the congregational singing of less well-known hymns, and SB sang along with great enthusiasm to recordings of nursery rhymes that she used to sing to her children. Even more strikingly, their response to the music gave the impression that they were touched by something that was no longer accessible by looking at once-familiar faces, nor by reminders of autobiographical events, nor by involvement in often-encountered everyday situations. Music seemed to establish a secure connection and willingness to actively communicate that was hard to achieve by other means. The act of hearing and singing familiar songs perhaps induced a sense of security, confident social interaction, and simple pleasure that Alzheimer’s patients rarely experience. Their moments filled with familiar music could be their only times without great doubts and anxious questionings of their state.