The Causes Of Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a deterioration of the brain that happens in middle or old age. It is the most common cause of premature senility and dementia, which is a loss of cognitive functioning (thinking, remembering, and reasoning). Dr. Alois Alzheimer discovered the disease in 1906 as he was doing an autopsy on a woman’s brain in which he discovered abnormalities. Alzheimer’s causes the brain to shrink in size, which causes all of the cognitive issues. Scientists today still do not fully understand the cause of Alzheimer’s but they suspect that it has to do with genetic mutations. Alzheimer’s is currently untreatable, but researchers are working on possible therapies. According to Alzheimer’s Association there are 5.4 million Americans struggling
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It can be expensive and time consuming to care for loved ones. It can be hard when the Alzheimer patient can’t do simple tasks such a remembering names and reading a clock. In many studies it has been found that patients remember how to create art, even after many other functions in their minds have shut down. Art therapy provides a way to trigger memories for many Alzheimer’s cases. One patient, Mary Hecht who had severe dementia, was never able to remember simple things but when she was given a pencil and paper she was able to form pictures of people that she had met before. In another case, Lonni Sue Johnson, who lost all of her ability to create new memories (due to a virus) was able to play, read and learn new songs on her viola (Tatera). Despite not knowing who the people in her life were, she continued to be able to remember how to do art. Art therapy can be used to help Alzheimer’s patients to feel accomplished about their creations, to self express, to feel happy, and to explore a new …show more content…
In an article by AFA (Alzheimer’s Foundation of America) they said that “When used appropriately, music can shift mood, manage stress-induced agitation, stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function, and coordinate motor movements.” The reason that patients that have already lost most of their cognitive functioning but are still able to engage in music and art is because art and music are done with rhythmic responses and well-practiced responses. In some cases, music can help bring back memory because it may be associated with important events or emotions. Also according to the AFA the music that will cause the strongest response in a patient is music from when they were 18-25 years old. Playing fast music helps to promote movement and slow music can help people calm down and help prepare for bedtime in a relaxing manner, a time when many are very agitated. In conclusion, music can be used in many ways to help patients be calm, relaxed and even bring back
It can be expensive and time consuming to care for loved ones. It can be hard when the Alzheimer patient can’t do simple tasks such a remembering names and reading a clock. In many studies it has been found that patients remember how to create art, even after many other functions in their minds have shut down. Art therapy provides a way to trigger memories for many Alzheimer’s cases. One patient, Mary Hecht who had severe dementia, was never able to remember simple things but when she was given a pencil and paper she was able to form pictures of people that she had met before. In another case, Lonni Sue Johnson, who lost all of her ability to create new memories (due to a virus) was able to play, read and learn new songs on her viola (Tatera). Despite not knowing who the people in her life were, she continued to be able to remember how to do art. Art therapy can be used to help Alzheimer’s patients to feel accomplished about their creations, to self express, to feel happy, and to explore a new …show more content…
In an article by AFA (Alzheimer’s Foundation of America) they said that “When used appropriately, music can shift mood, manage stress-induced agitation, stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function, and coordinate motor movements.” The reason that patients that have already lost most of their cognitive functioning but are still able to engage in music and art is because art and music are done with rhythmic responses and well-practiced responses. In some cases, music can help bring back memory because it may be associated with important events or emotions. Also according to the AFA the music that will cause the strongest response in a patient is music from when they were 18-25 years old. Playing fast music helps to promote movement and slow music can help people calm down and help prepare for bedtime in a relaxing manner, a time when many are very agitated. In conclusion, music can be used in many ways to help patients be calm, relaxed and even bring back