World renowned Alzheimer’s expert, musician, neurologist and New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, Ph.D. has co-founded an app to help engage people with dementia through music. The SPARK Memories Radio app is a streaming music app that creates personalized playlists to reduce agitation in people who have the disease.
Learn more about how the app can help improve the quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia.
The Impact of Music on the Brain
Dr. Tanzi states that our brains are emotionally stimulated to become more aware when we hear the music we love most, especially the music we hear between the ages of 13 and 25.
Studies have shown that music can help people with dementia increase brain activity and communication, relax and even spark memories.
That is why Dr. Tanzi’s SPARK Memories Radio app was designed to help people in all stages of the disease – those in the early stages of dementia can enjoy the music they once loved, and those in the later stages of the disease can establish moments of clarity and recognition of their loved ones and surroundings.
Using SPARK Memories Radio to Create Memorable Playlists
The groundbreaking app – available on Android or Apple devices – also makes it easy for caregivers to create playlists for loved ones quickly:
- Once the app is downloaded, register with an email address and password.
- Then, enter the birth date and name of your loved one.
- The app will then stream a playlist of songs for your loved one from an appropriate era.
The founders of the app say:
“All in all, at every stage of Alzheimer’s or dementia, we hope that through the power of music, SPARK Memories Radio will improve the quality of life for the patient as well as their caregivers and loved ones.”
Is this something you would try for your loved one? Have you seen the effects of music on memory? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
Related Articles: