Filmmaker Goes In Nursing Homes And Captures The Effect Music Has On Alzheimer’s Patients
Malorie Thompson
Alzheimer's disease can be devastating to those who are diagnosed with it, as well as to their friends and family members.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's and that number is only expected to rise. Alzheimer's disease kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
Photo: With it being so prevalent and having no cure, researchers and individuals are looking for ways to manage the disease and make patients more comfortable.
To explore the effects that music has on Alzheimer's patients, filmmaker Michael Rossato-Bennett went to nursing homes and filmed a short documentary called Alive Inside.
Photo: The documentary follows Dan Cohen, the founder of the nonprofit Music & Memory, as he visits nursing homes and uses music to help patients combat memory loss and find a deeper sense of self.
The film offers a unique look at how those affected by the disease can use music as a form of therapy.
Photo: Suffering from Alzheimer's often means losing part of who you are as a person, but music might be able to help that and bring back a sense of self. It's a beautiful thing to witness.
You can learn more about the documentary by watching the trailer below:
