Education
It is widely known that music boosts mood. It helps us connect to a happier time, recollect memories and create a sense of calm. A Feel Good index has determined that this occurs for songs with the most positive lyrics and uplifting melodies and have a certain number of beats/minute. In terms of music and person's with dementia, depression, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and people with intellectual disabilities the research continues to support that music boosts mood, promotes calm, helps with transitions as well as promoting personal connections and language. Memory Tracks, an ingenious app was developed to provide music aimed at particular times during the day when persons with dementia oftentimes experience the most anxiety, frustration, and fear. The beneficial effects on well being and quality of life for the person with living with the impairment, their loved ones and caregivers cannot be underestimated. Gordon Anderson hearkens from the U.K where the research regarding the prevalence and incidence of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease are not dissimilar to those in the U.S where as of 2020, there are 6 million persons living with dementia and in 2021 it is estimated that 6.2 million Americans over the age of 65 will be living with Alzheimer's dementia. Today, every 65 seconds a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. Globally, estimates are that over 75 million people will be affected by 2030 and more than 135 million by 2035. Anyone caring for a person living with dementia knows the gripping difficulties especially around routine care known as activities of daily living.The agitation can cause a person to resist, act out or withdraw. The strength of the evidence regarding the ability of music to help a person connect with words but also with memories and events, led Gordon Anderson to the development of the Memory Tracks platform.