Insights and information
about music, brain health, aging, and much more.
Good Memories—Where Everybody Knows Your Name (And That’s All That Matters)
The care partner pulled me aside on the second rehearsal of the session, eager to ask some questions. But first, he offered a few comments. Frank, care partner for his wife, Sarah, is new to Good Memories, referred by a friend. Sarah, in the early stage of dementia,...
Right Brain? Left Brain? A NO BRAINER
The human brain is basically symmetrical, split down the middle: the right cerebral hemisphere receives sensory input from and directs movement on the left side of the body, while the left hemisphere governs corresponding functions for the right side. Symmetry only...
Things My Apple Watch Gets Completely Wrong
Let me be clear. I mostly love my Apple Watch. It came to me as a complete surprise gift. Back in May, Sandy and I finally took the step of getting rid of both cable and our landline, because we finally got tired enough (of paying Comcast through the nose) to do...
5 Myths About Dementia
“I heard someone whisper the other day, ‘My father has Alzheimer’s.’ I just gave him a big hug and said, ‘You don’t have to whisper—shout it out loud,’ said Gary. I am not ashamed of having Alzheimer’s. All my neighbors are aware I have a problem and there’s no...
Song Spotlight: Fun, Fun, Fun (The Beach Boys, 1964)
In 1963, the acclaimed producer Russ Titelman went to visit Brian Wilson at his office in a bank building on the southeast corner of Sunset and Vine in Los Angeles. Wilson told Titelman that he was working on a song called “Run, Run, Run.” That song eventually morphed...
Guess Who’s Singing Beside You? Betsy Vandercook
Recycling Champion, Community Activist & Intrepid Alto – Some of us are fortunate to have a life-changing experience while still young enough to learn from it. For Betsy Vandercook, it happened in 1969…