Say "No" to Alzheimer's with Music

If like me, you are working with senior citizens, you know what the major fear of every senior is - it is the fear of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Watching a family member, a friend or a neighbor gradually sinking into ultimate oblivion is heartbreaking and scary, the scary part being that one never knows who will be next.

It is common knowledge that Alzheimer’s is “the point of no return”: once it strikes, there is no way to cure it – it escalates to the extent when a patient is no longer able to recognize his/her family members or perform the most routine functions like eating or using a toilet independently.

About a month ago, due to the nature of my job, I had a chance to attend a seminar dedicated to the research of patients with Alzheimer’s. The seminar took place on-site, in one of Baltimore’s most gorgeous Alzheimer’s assisted living facilities. On our walking tour we got to meet some of the patients, most of which used to have great careers in medicine and law. (No wonder - who else but former doctors and lawyers would be ever able to afford $6,500.00 a month for living in the facility?)

One of the “floor captains”, also known as Dr. Z., who according to our guide, “had been in the facility for a while” invited us into his room. A tall well-groomed and very neatly dressed older man, he was happy to show us around.

Just like his face, his speech was unmistakably one of an intellectual, except that he kept stumbling and stopping every now and then looking for the most essential vocabulary that he could not remember. The scariest part was that there were quite a few of those words. Dr. Z kept struggling while pointing to his TV-set and bed, not being able to name either of the objects. He knew he was not doing good, and was mildly frustrated about not being able to communicate the way he wished to.

It was quite heartbreaking to watch this man, who no doubt used to save people’s lives and cure them from diseases, helplessly looking for the active vocabulary of a toddler.

Looking at Dr. Z’s intelligent face with a somewhat distant departed look on it, I could not get away from the same thought: just like Benjamin Button, once a great man, he will end his days a speechless mental infant?

Back in the conference room we were reminded that there is no way to cure Alzheimer’s. The only way to fight it is to prevent it. How does one prevent a disease that 5.4 million Americans have not been able to? How does one prevent the 6th leading cause of death in the US and the only cause of death that cannot be slowed or cured?

The answer to this question is simple: brain fitness.

How does one keep his/her brain fit? The answer is: through physical exercise and active brain stimulation. Scientists found that exercise is a lot more than just muscle work – it positively affects memory and learning. On the other hand, active exposure to such an art form as classical music improves brain function and protects against cognitive decline. Moreover, for centuries music has been known to have a major healing effect. And this is exactly where I step in.

All that said, allow me to present a very exciting program, called Conductorcise.

Yes, you got it right: conductorcise = conduct + exercise!
Founded by a prominent conductor David Dworkin, a Met regular and a Carnegie Hall frequenter, this program provides individuals of any age, but especially seniors, with essential brain fitness through active emersion in classical music.

In my life I had a chance to meet several individuals who had no idea what conductors are for and what they do on the podiums. Their versions ranged all the way from just standing there to waving their arms too much to getting paid for nothing.

Oh, I know how you feel. I can almost see you all cringing in disapproval. But you know what? For now let us not get into discussing the real value and significance of a conductor. On this blog we are aware, are we not?
My point, however, is that even those who do not appreciate conductors got one thing right: conducting involves a lot of muscle activity, and that my friends, is the core of our discussion today.

The fusion of physical activity and classical music, Conductorcise, is based on a simple activity, for which you do not need anything but

• a classical music CD
• a boom box
• a bunch of chopsticks or pencils
• a group of seniors who do not want to have Alzheimer’s
• consistency ( one session a week at the very least)

If your seniors are able to stand up for 3 minutes, it is great. If not, they can remain seated or start the exercise standing up and sit down later as they get tired.
Each participant gets his/her very own "baton" (a pencil or a chopstick).The instructor plays a beautiful piece of classical music. Seniors “conduct” the way they feel they should, the way they can. There is no right or wrong way to do it. Any way is right and fabulous. They can move around if they want to or stand still. They can conduct with one arm or switch arms. They can remain silent or sing along with the music they are conducting. Anything they do is great.

Last week I launched this program, and am happy to report, it was a huge success. Movement 1 from Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik worked miracles, even though I have to admit it was probably just a little too long for the 1st session. The participants said that it was a good and a very enjoyable workout and that they can’t wait for their next session.

Session #2 is this week.

I recently found a picture of my Opera Appreciation students that I took at one of my live opera events last February. With great sadness I realized that just within this one year, two of my students got Alzheimer’s and are no longer able to participate in any kind of activities. One still lives in her apartment. On her own. Declining every single day, or maybe every single hour.
The other moved out months ago. Obviously, my seminars have not been able to prevent Alzheimer's, but Conductorcise will.

I believe it will.
Do you?
If you feel compassion for every 1 in 8 senior Americans who has Alzheimer's and know that you are able to do a little more about this disease than crying over the movie Notebook, sign the petition to President Obama for a strong National Alzheimer's Plan here.
No, I have not been paid to do this. I just feel that besides Conductorcising, this is the least I can do.