It’s always uplifting to see someone with dementia light up when they hear a favorite song from decades ago. Because the disorder impacts memory, thinking, communication, and decision-making, it’s helpful to know that music can often provide enough familiarity and enjoyment to trigger a positive memory for someone with Alzheimer’s. But a new study published in the August 25, 2022 issue of Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders has also found that incorporating music therapy as an intervention for people with Alzheimer’s improved their well-being and social engagement with their caregiver.
Like many parents, you may be concerned about the effects of using technology—such as tablets and smartphones—right before bed. And with good reason. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have publicly stated that exposure to blue light (and white light, which contains blue light) before bed can make it difficult to both fall asleep and stay asleep.
Recent research confirms that social support benefits the body and brain in profoundly positive ways. The Journal of American Medical Association published an article in Neurology which examined the connection between social support and cognitive function. “The results of this cross-sectional cohort study suggest that social support in the form of supportive listening is associated with greater cognitive resilience.”
