My grandfather watched the love of his life travel her journey through dementia; he journeyed along with her experiencing patience, frustration, anxiety, humor, peace, fear & exhaustion but for him, it always came back to their love. What was his trick? When she was looking for “Jack”, she’d look right at him: “I know you’re my husband, but I’m looking for my Jack”. That’s when he would clear his throat & start a verse, maybe "Molley Malone" or any number of Irish favorites. At the sound of his voice, her face would soften, she’d sit in his lap, rest her head on his chest tapping her hand over his heart and sigh “oh, there you are.” The impact of a dementia diagnoses ripples through the patient, family, friends & professional caregivers uniquely, with each person. Those differing roles open doors to new engagement opportunities, each personally tied to the relationship that caregiver has with the patient. Please consider donating so more songs can be sung & more hearts can soften.

Stories Love Music has provided both family and professional caregivers with the creative tools to manage the challenging behaviors of those they care for, as well as attend to their own stress management and self-care. Stories Love Music has empathy for the caregiver and created The Joy of Creative Engagement program using the interdisciplinary field of NeuroArts to care for the caregivers.