Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Alive Inside – movie review


          Moving….inspirational…deeply touching.
          This documentary shares the effect of music therapy on elders suffering Alzheimer’s or other dementia. These mostly institutionalized individuals are catatonic and curled within themselves. They are shut off from us who are their family members, friends and caregivers.  Until, that is, they have earphones connected to an iPod placed on their heads. They hear personalized music from by-gone years.
          These elders burst alive; many of them can’t even stay still and start swaying and dancing and singing along with the music. They become communicative for the first time in years, and we all applauded in the theater.
          Dan Cohen heads up a non-profit, Music and Memory, which has the lofty goal of providing personalized music through iPods for all residents in every elder care facility throughout the U.S. and Canada.

          How exciting and uplifting this documentary is.  Just think! This is a Blue Ocean Strategy-ish culture change for those aged who begin to open up and contribute a little but, more importantly, who are able to experience fun again because of the power of music! This film poses the question:  Are we really interested in the way people age or will we just play lip service to their contribution or lack thereof to society.

         
After his ‘awakening’ one stately gentleman cheerfully said, “It can’t get away from me if I’m in this place” – the place of the music. I kept it together until one woman about my age lite up upon hearing McCartney’s Blackbird.

          This is a must-see movie. It is poignant yet extremely inspiriting. And if, when you get home, you think you might want to contribute an iPod or two, you can reach out to them at MusicandMemory.org. They will take your old, unused ones or a contribution for new one(s).

          It’s not about expensive medications that really do no good to enhance the quality of their lives. It’s about one of the first changes I’ve seen to positively affect a group of people who might have lots more living to do and lots more joy to give us.
Five of possible five ticket stubs








Contact Antonia at antoniasseniormoments@hotmail.com