I am just wondering if anyone has had positive results with learning a musical instrument when dementia is present? My O H always talks of tinkering on the piano and I wonder if this is something to encourage. One of our neighbours has a piano and is willing to help. Any suggestions?
Learning A Musical Instrument
- Thread starter Grey Lad
- Start date
I've read somewhere that it is a good thing to do things like playing a musical instrument if you have dementia as it helps to keep the brain active.
My OH used to play classical guitar years ago and I've now got him back onto trying to play again. The thing I find best is not to put any pressure on him but to let him go at his own pace, being encouraging and supportive. And also to reassure him that he needs to learn from the beginning to get familiar with it again and it's normal not to be able to pick up from where he left off.
It's going very slowly but I do leave it up to him. If he hasn't done anything for a few days then I try and bring it gently into the conversation and if he doesn't want to do it, then I let it lie.
Sorry posted this while you posted your last comment. It may still be worth thinking about a one-off "lesson" for someone to come and play the piano with her but warn them she may not feel up to it when they arrive
My OH used to play classical guitar years ago and I've now got him back onto trying to play again. The thing I find best is not to put any pressure on him but to let him go at his own pace, being encouraging and supportive. And also to reassure him that he needs to learn from the beginning to get familiar with it again and it's normal not to be able to pick up from where he left off.
It's going very slowly but I do leave it up to him. If he hasn't done anything for a few days then I try and bring it gently into the conversation and if he doesn't want to do it, then I let it lie.
Sorry posted this while you posted your last comment. It may still be worth thinking about a one-off "lesson" for someone to come and play the piano with her but warn them she may not feel up to it when they arrive
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Next door neighbour has a piano is supportive and used to be a teacher. Just a question of setting up a tinkering session.
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See an interest; encourage it, is what I say. Stops time being spent on the worst aspects of dementia. Will give your loved one something else to perhaps think about and get interested in, no matter how long it lasts. I hope you've found something that helps, Grey Lad. I really do, xxxxxxxxxxxxx
hobbies
my mother came home from her daycare with knitting, she used to love it but I thought she just wouldn't be able to remember or do it, but she is making progress, it's wonderful, even if she only does it for 5 mins at a time, it distracts her from asking me the time? so yeah to the piano, or anything that encourages fun.
my mother came home from her daycare with knitting, she used to love it but I thought she just wouldn't be able to remember or do it, but she is making progress, it's wonderful, even if she only does it for 5 mins at a time, it distracts her from asking me the time? so yeah to the piano, or anything that encourages fun.
Neighbour sounds very helpful but maybe she also needs the opportunity just to play about as and when she wants without feeling she has an audience. Have you thought about an electronic keyboard, perhaps in addition to the neighbour. Pressure to learn (however gentle) might be counterproductive as it could lead to a sense of failure and frustration. Hope it works out.
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No pressure here and my Sous Chef has been working well alongside me in the kitchen this morning. It's another morning when we cancelled the carer as it was someone we didn't know. Togetherness is a lovely feeling: hope she is keeping and eye on the spuds while I'm up here!
I don't think you have to "learn" an instrument to have fun with it. My OH has never in his life played the piano, but if he sees one he'll start bashing around on it. And as for that time someone sat him in front of drums... Let's just say it was loud!
