By Michelle Sonia, President and CEO
Seniors Helping Seniors Boston South Shore
Imagine hearing a familiar song from your childhood. Within seconds, you’re transported back in time. Perhaps you’re dancing at your wedding, singing along to the radio on a summer drive, or listening to your mother hum while preparing dinner. The melody brings back feelings and memories you haven’t thought about in decades. For someone living with Alzheimer’s disease, music can offer something especially meaningful, a way to connect when words and memories become difficult to access.
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about a disease affecting millions of Americans. But beyond the statistics, symptoms, and challenges is something we must never lose sight of – the person behind the diagnosis.
Effects of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for changes in memory, thinking, and reasoning that interfere with everyday life. Unlike ordinary age-related forgetfulness, Alzheimer’s involves progressive changes in the brain that affect how people remember, communicate, make decisions, and perform familiar activities.
While memory loss is often the most recognizable symptom, Alzheimer’s can also affect language, judgment, mood, behavior, and the ability to process information. The disease progresses differently for everyone, and individuals may retain certain abilities long after others become difficult.
A diagnosis does not erase a lifetime of experiences, relationships, accomplishments, and personality. The retired teacher is still someone who spent decades inspiring children. The veteran still carries a lifetime of experiences and service. The grandmother who once filled her kitchen with laughter and homemade meals is still the person who created those treasured family traditions.
While Alzheimer’s changes how someone experiences and interacts with the world, their need for love, dignity, respect, and belonging remains. Recognizing the person beyond the diagnosis means looking past what has changed and finding ways to connect with who they are.
Connection is about more than conversation
As Alzheimer’s progresses, families sometimes feel they are losing the ability to connect with someone they love. Conversations may become repetitive, memories may be confused, and familiar activities may require adjustments.
Understanding how Alzheimer’s affects communication can help families approach these moments differently. Someone living with Alzheimer’s may need additional time to process a question or find the words to respond. Too many choices, competing noises, or repeated corrections can create frustration. Simple language, a calm tone, eye contact, and patience can make interactions more comfortable.
Rather than asking someone to remember something they cannot recall, it can be more meaningful to focus on what they are experiencing and feeling right now. We can look for what still brings them enjoyment and a sense of belonging. Perhaps most importantly, we can learn to appreciate the moment we’re sharing without expecting it to be remembered tomorrow.
Sometimes companionship is enough. Sit together, hold hands if welcomed, enjoy a quiet moment outdoors, or simply offer a reassuring smile. Meaningful connection doesn’t always require words. Every person experiences Alzheimer’s differently. Follow their cues, respect their preferences, and focus on creating moments of comfort and connection rather than trying to achieve a particular response.
1. Let the music play
Create a playlist of favorite songs from their younger years. Sing together, gently move to the rhythm, or simply listen. Familiar music may bring comfort, spark conversation, or create moments of joy. A favorite song might inspire someone who has become withdrawn to smile, tap their feet, sing along, or reach for a loved one’s hand.
2. Revisit familiar memories – without testing
Look through family photographs, old magazines, or meaningful keepsakes. Instead of asking, “Do you remember who this is?” try sharing a story or describing what you see. Let the experience unfold naturally, without pressure to recall details.
3. Find purpose in everyday activities
Invite your loved one to participate in simple, familiar tasks such as folding towels, arranging flowers, sorting recipe cards, or setting the table. Focus on the enjoyment of participating rather than completing the task perfectly.
4. Connect through the senses
The scent of freshly baked cookies, the feeling of a soft blanket, the sight of autumn leaves, or the taste of a favorite treat can provide comfort and enjoyment. Choose experiences that reflect the person’s preferences and abilities.
The power of a meaningful match
At Seniors Helping Seniors Boston South Shore, we believe the best care begins with genuine human connection. That philosophy becomes especially important when supporting individuals experiencing memory loss. Our approach goes beyond simply identifying what assistance someone needs. We thoughtfully match older adults with compassionate, mature caregivers based on personality, interests, preferences, and individual care needs.
A caregiver who shares an appreciation for classic music, enjoys reminiscing about familiar places, or understands the comfort of long-standing routines may be able to build a relationship that feels natural and reassuring. Our caregivers offer practical assistance; just as importantly, they bring patience, empathy, companionship, and a genuine interest in the people they support.
For families navigating Alzheimer’s, this kind of personalized support can help their loved ones remain safe, comfortable, and connected in the homes they love, while offering family caregivers much-needed reassurance and respite.
When words fade, music can speak
Music engages multiple areas of the brain involved in emotion, movement, attention, and memory. Research suggests that some musical abilities and responses to familiar songs can remain relatively resilient in people living with Alzheimer’s, even as other cognitive functions decline. Music may help reduce anxiety or agitation for some individuals, encourage movement, and create opportunities for social interaction. These benefits are not universal, and music cannot reverse the disease, but its potential to support emotional wellbeing is meaningful.
Finding joy in the moments that remain
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis brings uncertainty, grief, and challenges for individuals and the people who love them. Acknowledging those realities is important. But so is remembering that life continues after a diagnosis. There can still be laughter, affection, companionship, and moments of genuine happiness. A familiar song may bring a smile. A shared activity may provide a sense of purpose. A compassionate presence may offer reassurance when the world feels confusing.
This November, as we recognize National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, let’s remember that a person is so much more than their memory. Because even when memories fade, the need to feel valued, understood, and connected never disappears.
Seniors Helping Seniors Boston South Shore is changing the way home care feels. We provide compassionate, personalized in-home support designed to help older adults maintain their dignity, independence, and meaningful connections. To learn more, visit www.shsbostonsouthshore.com.
About the Author: Michelle Sonia is the President and CEO of Seniors Helping Seniors Boston South Shore, a locally owned home care agency dedicated to helping older adults remain safe, independent, and connected in the homes they love. Before co-founding Seniors Helping Seniors Boston South Shore, Michelle spent more than 15 years in management consulting, helping healthcare organizations improve strategy and operations. Today, she combines that experience with a deep commitment to serving her local community, ensuring every family receives compassionate, relationship-driven support tailored to their unique needs. A Hanson native who now lives in Weymouth, Michelle was valedictorian at Notre Dame Academy, earned her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, and received her master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. To learn more about Seniors Helping Seniors Boston South Shore, call 781-626-4800, visit www.shsbostonsouthshore.com, or email info@shsbostonsouthshore.com.
