Alive Inside Documents the Power of Music to Fight Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

You may recall the video of a withdrawn elderly man who comes to life upon hearing music he cares about on an iPod. The “Old Man In Nursing Home Reacts To Music" (and other title variations) video did more than go viral. It inspired the filmmaker who shot the original video to look more closely at the work of nonprofit Music & Memory and to shoot a documentary about that work, “Alive Inside," that's just been released in theaters.

The video “Man In Nursing Home Reacts To Hearing Music From His Era“ got picked up and spread widely online but I'm not sure how much attention the program Music & Memory received. They're promoting a very simple and effective way to reach many people suffering with such conditions as Alzheimer's, provide them with iPods and playlists of the music that matters to them. It's helping lots of folks already and hopefully this documentary will spread the word even more widely.



Alive Inside Trailer

I found out about the documentary from this article but you can find out more about Music & Memory from their Mission and Vision page:

“We train nursing home staff and other elder care professionals, as well as family caregivers, how to create and provide personalized playlists using iPods and related digital audio systems that enable those struggling with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive and physical challenges to reconnect with the world through music-triggered memories."

Elder memory loss and related issues are difficult for everyone involved. Having someone forget you is disorienting and one can only imagine how disorienting that loss of memory must for the one suffering directly.

The fact that this program works and has already helped many who had withdrawn from the world and may have never returned does not mean it will continue to spread. It's up to folks like you to support Music & Memory by donating and spreading the word.