What would happen if you suddenly lost your ability to think clearly, complete everyday tasks, and remember the people you love? You would probably feel scared, lonely, and frustrated. This is exactly how five million elderly people in America with dementia feel as they slowly start to lose track of who they are and who they know. Dementia is a group of different diseases that are all marked by the loss of cognitive processes and memory. But a brand new treatment method might bring hope to everyone affected by the diseases. This treatment is known as the Music and Memory Program. This documentary, directed by Michael Rossato-Bennett, shows just how effective the treatment is going to be.

Everyone knows how music can change your mood and focus almost instantaneously. We listen to driving music when we study and peppy electronic beats when partying with friends. The Music and Memory Program works pretty much the same way. Basically the program involves filling an iPod with the resident’s individualized music; music that he/she listened to and enjoyed in youth. Listening to individualized music is said to facilitate the remembrance of memories not lost to dementia. This is said to foster better cognition, mood, and socialization.

I can personally see the implications of this project. As part of the undergraduate research program here at UWM, I am currently working on a research project that is providing a stronger evaluation of how effective the program is. We are still in the data collection process so we cannot make any concrete judgments based on the data we currently have. But through anecdotes from the nursing homes that we are visiting, we can see that the treatment has a positive effect. The nurses were happy to report a change in mood for the residents that received the music. So it was a very special treat to see how many lives that this project is changing through this film.

Henry, the star of a viral video released a few years ago, is the first person shown in the film receiving music. We first get a glance of how he usually behaves. He sits in his wheelchair, totally inert to the world around him. But when he puts the music on, he gradually starts to light up and even starts singing. We also get to see that Henry’s reaction also facilitates feelings of happiness in the other nursing home residents watching him.

The other residents are equally as enthralling as Henry. We see Denice, a bipolar schizophrenic with extreme states of emotions, Steve, a man confined to the bed due to multiple sclerosis, and Marylou, who can’t even find the difference between a spoon and a fork. All three of these residents were touched by the music, and the audience can see right away the renewed sense of joy that it brings them.

It’s amazing that the film was able to capture these precious moments. But it’s the cinematography that helps to really sell them. The backstory of each resident is shown, as well as the severity of his or her dementia. As residents listen to their music, the music they’re listening to is played throughout the scene and clips of their home movies are intertwined with the footage. This allows us to feel the rush of happy memories and joy the music brings them.

The film doesn’t dodge any of the controversy surrounding the issue either. Despite the potential of this project and the positive reactions already seen, it’s only been around for a few years and has yet to reap any real, qualitative results. The movie acknowledges that there are still a lot of things that need to be ironed out, including the fact that not all residents respond positively to music. Never the less, the potential to lessen the need for medication and promote positive growth is ripe to be fully realized on a large scale.

The day that this program is fully integrated into the elderly health system may be a ways away, but as this movie proves, there is still a lot of good already being done. I’m so glad to be a part of it both as an assistant researcher and a viewer. If you are a lover of music or elderly treatment, or are excited by the possibility of people being prescribed Eminem and Katy Perry, you owe it to yourself to see this film. It must be seen and heard to be believed.

10/10

Alive Inside is playing Saturday, October 4 at 12:30 p.m. at the Downer Theatre.