So another week begins. I for one have too much time on my hands. Too much alone time. Don’t get me wrong. I like alone time, but punctuated with friends, going places and doing things together. Yes. I can do all those things myself, but I’m still alone. Sharing is the big part for me. “Remember when?” “Wasn’t that a grand time?” However, I don’t want constant togetherness. That can become a weight all its own. At the same time, I get tired of just the three of us: Me, Myself, and I. Everyone seems so busy anymore. Spinning in little circles, preoccupied with themselves. Perhaps it’s just the times we live in? The important thing to remember is reaching out, trying to make connections. One day someone will reach back, and as John Prine once commented, “Just waiting for someone to say, hello in there. Hello.”

Such sweetness in your words… in my experience, the same person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia can be blissfully enjoying the moment – especially out of doors. Yet other moments lost in a memory that feels so real – yet no longer exists. They say drumming can be soothing…& certainly not correcting or arguing is a salve.
I only know that kindness & love are the marmalade…& growing old has its perks & many pleasures – when in the company of good souls, & music – sweet music!!
Thank you Randy!

Sorry this is so long, but check it out…

Drumming improves dementia by stimulating the brain, reducing stress, and providing a powerful avenue for non-verbal communication. Because rhythmic response is deeply preserved in the brain, it allows individuals to engage, socialize, and experience a sense of joy even when verbal and executive skills have deteriorated.
The ways drumming benefits those with cognitive impairment break down into key cognitive, physical, and emotional areas:

🧠 Cognitive Benefits

• Stimulates the Brain: Drumming activates and ignites multiple areas of the brain—including motor skills, auditory processing, and rhythm centers. Studies have shown that rhythmic training and drumming can increase brain activity, improve short-term memory, and potentially slow the rate of mental deterioration.
• Improves Focus: Staying on beat requires attention and helps ground the individual in the present moment, which can reduce confusion and disorientation.

🎶 Emotional & Social Benefits

• Non-Verbal Expression: For those who struggle to find the right words, drums offer a way to express feelings, release frustration, and communicate.
• Promotes Relaxation: Group drumming has been shown to lower stress hormones while releasing endorphins and alpha waves in the brain, ultimately easing anxiety.
• Fosters Connection: Participating in drumming circles or “Drums Alive” classes creates a communal experience. It helps patients respond to one another and fosters a feeling of competence and belonging.

🏃 Physical Benefits

• Maintains Motor Function: Continuous drumming provides low-impact physical activity. It encourages upper limb movement (shoulder and elbow flexion) and improves hand-eye and hand-foot coordination.
• Accessible and Inclusive: Because striking a drum physically returns energy to the player (the mallet bounces), it requires less physical effort, making it highly accessible even for those with limited physical strength.