Nursing’s Gallagher-Lepak writes on ‘Music and Dementia’

Susan Gallagher-Lepak, professor of Nursing, shared insights on the value of music to individuals with dementia in the Dec. 8 edition of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Her article, headlined “Powerful gift for people with dementia: Music,” describes research from a recent issue of the scientific journal Brain about the resilience of the brain with musical memory in cases of dementia. This is especially true for well-known music. Gallagher-Lepak suggests translation of the research into practice by playing familiar music throughout the holidays for individuals with dementia and their families. Developing a playlist of favorite music, for example, can be a gift and reap psychological and behavioral benefits. Other examples, such as use of a music app for dementia patients, are also given. The article is online here.