Memories – Finishing Well In Life

Wayne and Bambi are having a good time singing a family favorite, "When Papa Put the Paper on the Wall"

Music is good medicine for those with dementia – take as needed

Posted on March 1, 2025March 1, 2025 by seniajean

My sister and I recently had a lovely chat about music and its important role in the lives of people with dementia. She told me about the amazing story of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.
Tony Bennett was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016. By then, Lady Gaga had become Tony’s devoted protégé. Even after his diagnosis, they were still singing together. In 2021, they performed two sold-out concerts “One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.” The limiting and muting effects of Alzheimer’s seemed to disappear while he was singing.

Finding Joy at Christmas Despite Dementia

Posted on December 1, 2023December 30, 2023 by seniajean

Even though this is supposed to be “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, when you are a caregiver for a loved one with dementia, celebrating Christmas can become challenging.
When my Mama, who had dementia for well over a decade was in the early stages of the disease, she was still aware of seasons and most holidays. As time went on, she became less so. Dementia stole her ability to look forward to Christmas, birthdays, or any other previously meaningful day or time of the year. The pages turned on the calendar, but her days remained the same.

Capturing Your Caregiver Story

Posted on August 1, 2022August 1, 2022 by seniajean

Wayne and I recently met with a group of ladies who want to write a book. We were invited to attend the gathering by Venitra White-Dean, a lovely lady and founder of The Frankie Mae Foundation, a non-profit organization advocating for the caregiver as a whole person.
Each one attending realized they had a story to tell about their experience with caregiving. While everyone’s story shared similar elements, each was also unique. Their motto was, “We’re all singing the same song – just different verses.”

Juneberry Memories – Good for the Brain

Posted on June 7, 2019July 24, 2019 by seniajean

One of my favorite childhood memories is of my Grandpa and I standing under his delightful Juneberry tree eating the delicious berries. I loved them. Juneberries look similar to a blueberry, only more burgundy than blue. They have a distinct taste – rather somewhere between the sweetness of a blueberry and the tartness of a raspberry.

This photo reminds me of Mama, her favorite color of roses resting on sheet music.

The Magic of Music in Memories

Posted on October 7, 2018October 28, 2023 by seniajean

The power of music to trigger memories is well documented in studies and by organizations such as Music and Memory . Singing with a loved one is a wonderful way to keep connected. Most folks have a song or two tucked away in their memory. A song learned when they were eight will remain with them when they are 80.