Everywhere you go….
One of the wonderful things about this time of the year is that it is steeped in all the essential elements that help stir and awaken the areas in our brains that have to do with memory.
Songs. After my Mama was unable to carry on a conversation or even speak, she was still able to sing. On good days, I could pull one of her ‘heart songs’ out of her. Perhaps it is because, as my husband says, “Music does not reside in the brain, it lives in the soul.” Heart songs are special. Not every song learned becomes a ‘heart song’, only the ones that somehow get embedded into the fabric of our souls. Of all the songs that a person might learn over the course of their lifetime, Christmas songs are very likely on the list. Whether your loved one believes that Jesus is the reason for the Season, or Santa Clause is coming to town, find out what songs stir, and awaken the music inside.
Smells. Recent studies have shown there is indeed a benefit to smelling: The actual process of smelling triggers memories. The Cleveland Clinic has an article, “Scent and Sensibility: The Link Between Smell and Memory“. The article explains that the brain areas that process smell are closely connected to those responsible for our memories and emotions.
The Christmas season brings with it a whole gaggle of smells. From freshly cut pine, to warm Christmas cookies and a host of other, unique fragrances and aromas that arise during this time of the year. Do you have memories of certain smells associated with Christmas? If your loved one is your parent, perhaps those would be the ones to begin with.
Visual memories. Just as ‘music serves as a potent trigger for retrieving memories’, decorate, or collect bits and pieces that may stimulate a lifetime of Christmas memories. Did your loved one have favorite Christmas decorations? If you don’t know, perhaps ask family members or try the standard items that might trigger nostalgia such as garland, poinsettias and lights and bells. Memory Museums are popping up in many places that seem to help patients return to long-term memories of childhood and growing up.
If you are not already incorporating any of these suggestions, give them a try during this Christmas season. Of course, the nice thing about caring for someone who is no longer reading a calendar, Christmas could happen on a very regular basis.
Please share your Christmas season songs, smells and memories with us
Has your world been touched by dementia?
My book, “Finishing Well: Finding the Joy in Dementia“, is a collection of stories and tips about doing life with my Mama. May it encourage and inspire you to find joy on your own, unique journey.
Senia, for her whole life, Susan loved music. When she first entered the nursing home, she had the nurses laughing at how she hummed an old Elvis song and danced down the hallway. During her stay there, we could often (not always, unfortunately) distract her from her bad memories with music. Even at the end, when she had lost her ability to speak, she could hum tunes and laugh when Nancy reminded her of the nonsense songs that were popular in the ’40s. Love the blog.
Thank you Janie – What a wonderful memory of Susan, I can just picture her singing and dancing. I loved how Mama’s singing ability lasted a long time after her speaking ability diminished.