February 21, 2015

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS FILM!

Dan Cohen is a volunteer at a senior’s home. When he brings an iPod (and headphones) filled with music of a certain era and plays it for one of the patients, it is truly astounding to see her reaction. With different music, Henry, a man who has barely spoken in ten years, is suddenly singing! In case after case, patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia responded to music that they had an emotional link to – whether it was songs they sang, songs they danced to, or songs that brought back specific emotions. Sadly, this cheap form of therapy (about $40 for an iPod and headphones) isn’t recognized by the health care system and isn’t funded by government.

In a Skype interview with the filmmaker after the screening, he spoke of the generosity of folks in crowds after seeing the film – people donating anything from $250,000 to quadrupling amounts raised by the public. Following the movie, two folks in the audience voiced their wishes to get this happening in Powell River. I definitely want to be part of that.

The thought was also shared that we should be working on our own Music Memory playlist so should we ever be “lost” we can find ourselves again through the music we loved.

The film is available on Netflix – please see it and spread the word.