Over the years at the ranch, we were constantly learning new material and adding new songs to our repertoire. This is significant – because it is commonly believed that people living with dementia are able to recall only the old tunes from their earlier years – and do not learn new material. Yes, we were both constantly learning new music – which became some of our “most favorite” numbers! 

Once the new material had become an “old favorite,” which happened quickly, we would definitely come back to it. But we constantly moved on to acquire new favorites in new books –  with music extending to all genres  – while adding to what eventually became a vast collection.

After a good musical workout, Mother would say – with exuberance – as we walked away from the piano, “I’m so glad I paid for all those music lessons!” Indeed, I bore witness to Mother’s ability to learn new material for over a decade following her diagnosis of AD.

Research studies in 2004 at the  National Institute on Aging found that people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s have more capacity to learn new information than was previously known. Additional research into this area is needed.

 

Yamaha Digital Piano

For many years, we made a joyful noise every evening after the dishes were done and the kitchen was cleaned up. Our repertoire included Broadway show tunes, sacred, spirituals, ballads, gospel, jazz, blues – both harmony and unison. And, of course, The Mennonite Hymnal   in all of its versions,  The Life Songs ,  Sing the Journey, and other hymn books going back to Mother’s childhood. FIND ON AMAZON

Jazzy Happy Birthday Tunes for the Piano 

13 variations of Happy Birthday for the piano, including swing, sentimental, blues, rag, waltz, ostinato, ballad, Latin, birthday bells, capriccio, and fugue. Once we had this book, the birthday of every family member from Baltimore and DC to the Midwest and on to Scottsdale was remembered and celebrated by the ranchers – at the ranch – with our birthday song delivered long-distance.

We placed a speaker phone on the piano in front of us to leave our singing voice message. The speaker phone was placed next to a photo of the family member whose birthday we were remembering.

At least on our end of the line, it was a fun, energizing, and entertaining tradition for remembering each family member and celebrating each birthday. Jazzy Birthday für Klavier – Jazz-Variationen über ‘Happy Birthday’    FIND ON AMAZON

6-Disc DVD-CD Changer

For our household, a DVD-CD Changer was an essential item for every day. Almost non-stop music set a joyful tone and created an upbeat environment during our awake hours. Over the span of our years together, we purchased two in this price range.   FIND ON AMAZON

Gaither Homecoming Celebration – DVD’s

We liked all kinds of music, but overdosed on Southern gospel, because of its bold, colorful imagery. It fit with our use of metaphors since we were, after all, “the ranchers” living at “the ranch.” At one point, when a Gaither recording was playing, I heard Mother boldly articulating “fathomless billows of love”  – while folding towels. I looked to the screen and then I looked at her to see if she was reading the sub-titles. But no, she was singing her inner joy from deep inside:  Fathomless billows of love.   FIND ON AMAZON

“Climb Every Mountain” from The Sound of Music – Sheet Music

A favorite – “Climb Every Mountain” from The Sound of Music . We sang it to the rafters! Indeed – we sang it very passionately!  FIND ON AMAZON

 

Post-It Flags – to mark favorite songs in song books

We used Post-it flags to mark our favorite songs in every songbook. We had literally hundreds   of favorite songs – and  hundreds   of red flags. They are removable and repositionable, so as to not damage the pages of music.  FIND ON AMAZON

 

 

Sharpie – Box of 12 – to highlight first line of hymn   

We had many uses for Sharpies and always kept one at the piano. In our later years at the piano, we highlighted the first line of hymns – for Mother to be able to follow the words more easily.  FIND ON AMAZON

 

Full-Spectrum Desk Lamp

Replacing fluorescent lamps many years ago, I found these great high-density, natural lighting Full Spectrum Solutions provided tremendous relief for eye strain. We used this desk model at the piano. While high-end for my budget, I’m still using them after making several residential moves. For long hours of reading, they have become “essential.” FIND ON AMAZON

Microphone – for recording

We did some recording during our years at the ranch and used a mic similar to this one.  FIND ON AMAZON

Metronome – An excellent purchase.  FIND ON AMAZON

Reference:

NIH / National Institute On Aging. (2004, July 2). Studies Suggest People With Early Alzheimer’s Disease Can Still Learn. ScienceDaily . Retrieved June 11, 2020 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/07/040702090555.htm

Posted by: Susan Troyer