I just now looked over a report on the Wall Street Journal website about the use of music therapy in dementia patients. The report stated that one of the criticisms of iPods is that folks who use them tend to shun communication with other folks and stay in an insulated universe of their own. However, recent observations of stroke and dementia sufferers are revealing that iPods and other MP3 players in many instances have the reverse effect.

By listening to some old common music, advanced dementia patients can reconnect with their memories and with one another in some surprising ways, especially for folks with degenerative brain conditions. To cite an example, according to the Journal, listening to rap and reggae on a borrowed iPod every day prompted a 28-year-old stroke victim to learn to walk and utilize his hands again.

In another case, a 52 year-old man who fell out of a fourth-floor building site and suffered a crushed larynx became so captivated with music that he has written 400 songs and made four albums. An 85-year-old dementia patient in Florida listens to her favorite opera and Yiddish songs every day on an iPod with a home health aide or her daughter when she drops by. According to her daughter they listen for at least one-half hour a day and "It seems to touch something deep within her."

Caregivers have been aware for many years that music therapy in dementia patients can be very effective. They have observed for decades that Alzheimer's sufferers can still remember and sing songs for an extended time after they have stopped recognizing names and faces. Hospitals and nursing homes have been using music as enjoyment for a long time, because it brings patients pleasure. Now, beyond the enjoyment value, there is significant evidence that listening to music can also help stimulate apparently lost memories, and even help reconstruct cognitive function in some cases. (via IPod Therapy for Alzheimer's Patients, WSJ.com)

As a senior citizen myself I am a big fan of iPods and related devices for senior citizens. I myself have an iPhone, which is pretty much an iPod with a phone built into it. I am cognizant that many of you will be doubtful because you think such devices are too complicated for seniors. However, as research as shown, using complicated devices can be quite effectual in slowing memory loss due to aging. Now we discover that the musical capabilities can be helpful even for those who have already experienced cognitive decline.

Well, okay, you might not want to actually leave an iPod in the hands of a person who is experiencing Alzheimer's, but such a device can certainly be used, under supervision, to provide the kinds of music therapy in dementia patients set out in this article. Technology can be amazing for those who are willing to be creative and attentive in applying its use. IPod music therapy in dementia patients is a consummate example.

Why's Testing For Dyslexia So Important? And What More Will You Know After You Have Taken A Dyslexic Test?
It is estimated that there are more than 2 million adult dyslexics in the U.S., that do not know they are dyslexic. A simple dyslexic test could tell for sure, and set them on the path to overcoming dyslexia completely....

N 95 Mask To Guard You Against All Types Of Toxic Contamination Surrounding You
When you buy yourself an N 95 mask you buy yourself the peace of mind that ensures that you know that you have done all possible things to safeguard yourself against the travails of contaminants, allergens and pollutants that abound the environment.

The N 95 Face Mask Can Certainly Shield A Person Against Pandemic Diseases
When you get yourself an N 95 face mask you are protecting yourself against so many rampant diseases around you. During the swine flu pandemic the government in most countries had made it mandatory that all the people must wear an N 95 mask.

Respirator Masks Come With Several Built In Benefits For The Customers
These Respirator mask have been known to provide superior protection that is needed for people who are exposed to germs on a regular basis

Does Hypnosis As A Fibromyalgia Medical Treatment A Good Alternative?
Fibromyalgia is a condition where a person experience pain in different parts of the body which can last from a few months to many years. Because fibromyalgia pain is so severe, it is very necessary that a patient gets immediate fibromyalgia treatment.

Is There An Effective Detox Diet Program Which Will Aid To Heal Fibromyalgia
There is no known cure for fibromyalgia, and many of the treatment options cannot effectively bring the relief that many patients desire. This is why many people have turned to alternative methods for treating this chronic condition, and some of these options have met with success.

Kidney Stone Pain Relief: Simple Alteration In Life-Style And Eating Habits Could Help You Very Much
Kidney stone pain relief is possible, often for even the worst of pain, but a kidney stone is something no one wants to experience. Often, when you experience a sharp, intense pain in your lower back the cause is indeed a kidney stone. And then it is time for immediate action.