I took a break from preparing next week’s lesson plans for the grandkids’ home school classes that I teach to eat a bite of lunch and catch up with the news. This morning I had been listening to Christian classical harp music on YouTube and left it on when I excused myself from the computer. The radio attached under-cabinet in the kitchen (definitely old-school) is always tuned to the Bible Broadcasting Network so I can listen to it throughout the day when I’m keeping up with housework or preparing meals. As I sat down in the family room to eat lunch and started to turn on the television, I realized that would make three sources of sound (at least the radio and harp music I would not consider noise) and decided to leave the television off, knowing the news would be the same later. 

Except at night when we are sleeping, it is hardly ever silent in our home. If it is, I notice right away because I am so used to background sounds – especially music – and I prefer it that way. 

As I child, I went to sleep with the sound of silence. There were the occasional animal noises at night, possibly the wind, and in the summer the humming oscillating fan, but otherwise the quiet of the countryside lulled me to sleep. I can still remember the first time I spent the night in a city – as opposed to being out-in-the-country. Our family had gone to visit my sister Elizabeth and her new husband in Ohio. Since they were living in a one-bedroom mobile home, we stayed with her mother-in-law in a cozy bungalow in a neighborhood just outside the downtown area. Two of my sisters and I slept cross-wise on a double bed in front of an open window facing a city street. Falling to sleep with the sound of cars whizzing by just a few feet away was tranquilizing and dare I say, exciting! Traffic was so scarce on our dirt road back home that we would run to look out the window when we heard a vehicle bumping along. Here, I could almost reach out and touch it.

I have always considered the sense of sound to be a valuable gift, especially music. Although I am not a gifted musician by any means, I enjoy listening to most of those who are. (Please, no heavy metal, grunge rock or rap – not my style.)

During the years I was a charge nurse in long-term care, I walked into many a resident’s room where loud, unpleasant sounds were emanating from a radio or television. This was especially bothersome in a two-person room where each person had his or her own entertainment device, and it seemed roommates always had opposite tastes. Both compensated by raising the volume. 

Occasionally, a staff person would tune in to something they wanted to listen to rather than choosing a station or channel based on the patient’s desires. Of course, this was against facility guidelines…but it still happened. I would switch back to the patient’s choice, but when I made rounds later, the channel had usually been switched again. 

An advantage of home care over facility is the ability to choose the channel and the volume, creating a much more pleasant environment.

Recently, I read a quote by A. W. Tozer on the topic of organization that included this thought, “…music is organized sound.” Since I am such an organizational devotee, no wonder I enjoy music so much.

Much research has been done concerning the effect of music on those with dementia and others who requires caregivers. The consensus is that music is therapeutic in many ways. A variety of studies have shown that music therapy has the ability to increase brain function as physical therapy improves musculoskeletal function. Stroke patients have made great strides in regaining skills from speaking to walking through the power of music. Studies show that appropriate music serves not only to calm the soul, reduce stress and lessen anxiety, but can also diminish pain. 

Dr. Oliver Sacks, a renowned neurologist and psychologist at Columbia University Medical Center testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging on this subject. He stated, “The power of music is very remarkable…one sees Parkinsonian patients unable to walk, but able to dance perfectly well or patients almost unable to talk, who are able to sing perfectly well.” He concludes that music therapy is “crucial and indispensable” among neurologically disabled patients. 

Good music also has the ability to evoke memories of days gone by, restore emotions that have long slumbered and even draw someone from a state of depression.  Music is powerful and should be on every caregiver’s list of tools of the trade.

Not only should you consider using music to benefit your recipient. Since studies have concluded that listening to music increases the levels of the hormone melatonin (which can enhance sleep as well as make you feel better when you are awake), make beautiful music a part of your daily life as well. You can use it as a background or set aside some time each day to rest and meditate while music calms your nerves and resets your spirit.

Consider what the soundtrack of caregiving should sound like in your home – and then relax and enjoy.