Music and Memory is a new Ohio led statewide initiative to improve the quality of life for Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients. It's a pretty easy concept and has been proven to work miracles. The program starts off by interviewing either the patient or close relatives to find out what kind of music they listened to in their teens and twenties. A personalized playlist is then created with music that they probably listened to, and loaded onto an iPod. Now nursing homes that have this program usually allow residents to listen to their music for about three hours a week.

Many homes have seen astonishing results. Patients who were previously nonverbal and generally non-responsive came alive! Nonverbal patients would sing and move around more. Also in some cases, patients would experience brief periods of lucidness. This new breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease along with other forms of dementia is completely non-pharmaceutical. And while the Music and Memory Program is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease or dementia, it can increase quality of life. Another huge goal of this program is to decrease the dependence on anti-psychotic drugs in Alzheimer's and dementia patients.

Homes have noticed a perceptible difference in residents who participate in Music and Memory. Extensive research has shown that participants are overall happier and more involved socially. Relationships between residents and staff members have improved. Nursing homes and other care facilities are noticing a calmer, more social and supportive environment among residents.

To demonstrate the power of the Music and Memory program, below is a video of a real life Alzheimer's patient and the impact music has had on his quality of life.

Ohio Northern University's student chapter of ASCP (American Society of Consultant Pharmacists) is expected to begin the only student lead Music and Memory initiative in the Fall of 2016.

For more information about this program, please visit the official website of Music and Memory.