I am at an Alzheimers facility 365 days a year every morning..I.m an expert on this topic ..stage 7a thru g is past the behavorial agitation stage leaving terminal agitation left..it is NOT a violent stage when crisis Hospice intervenes.

Alan Russell

Allan.......what is the difference between dementia, Parkinson's. Alzheimer's, etc?

One of my biggest challenges in playing the senior places is....do I "talk" or NOT "talk?" How does one know how much they understand?

That's another way of saying......should I just play music or talk to them about the songs, orchestra leaders/vocalists from way back when, etc

M

Gary.....I thought that needed repeating AND the following:



That's more irritating than no aides being in the room with you. I'm thinking now of this place I play every month. Three "assistants" and every one on their smart phone. A few weeks back one of the patients got so carried away she came at me like she was "defense" and I was "offense" and......get the quarterback at all costs. I was standing, playing a 27 pound accordion, so I didn't have much of my own defense. And, I'm guessing just like you said.....if anyone got hurt, yours truly would probably be in a Civil suit right now!

M

Dimentia is normal aging..memory loss..very slow neuro transmitter decline.

Alzheimers..major neuro transmitter decline progressing at a declining rate in 7 stages.

Parkinsons...lewie body damage effecting motor skills speech etc .also a declining illness.

Alan Russell

A word of advice..ALWAYS have a few nurses or aids present
IN THE ROOM when performing for Dementia residents...I've had to many mishaps and close calls...be careful out there.