Do you believe in magic? I know it may sound like an exaggeration, but for my mom, who lived with Parkinson’s for thirty years, there is no other word to describe the power of music. It worked wonders against her disease.
When my mom listened to her favorite tunes, not only did they improve her mood, but they also inspired her to sing (which helped her quieting voice) and always got her moving (which is especially important for those living with Parkinson’s). Dancing was often a natural result of music being played in her vicinity – even in the later years of her PD when she was in a wheelchair and also lived with dementia! All of these effects of music were remarkable but the real magic occurred when we’d play her favorite tune while she was caught in a freezing episode.
See what a little music can do for people who need to move!
We learned the common triggers for FOG over the years (crowded or narrow spaces were big ones for my mom) but no one taught us how to get her out of those situations. It wasn’t until a decade into mom’s disease that we discovered the power of music. Hearing an uplifting song with a strong beat often got mom unstuck from the floor and off and moving again. It was amazing to watch!
My mom spent the last eight years of her life in various long-term care facilities and watching the video I’ve shared in this post reminded me of the countless times I witnessed her and her fellow residents light up when they heard music. Whether it was an old hymn being played on the living room piano or a show tune ringing from the cafeteria’s jukebox (I think jukeboxes should be a standard feature in long-term care homes), music always got people moving!
I say this all the time, but for those people affected by Parkinson’s who haven’t heard it: MUSIC IS A MUST!
Whether you’re living with Parkinson’s or caring for someone who does, I challenge you to find the music that moves you. Have that music at the ready, whether that be on your smartphone or favorite music player, so you can press PLAY anytime you need an emotional or physical boost.
We all have at least one song that gets us groovin’, so what’s on your Parkinson’s playlist?