Piano lessons to help prevent dementia

[joyfulmusic]

Does anyone have experience with teaching with a dual purpose of mental health?  I am starting an adult student (I've been teaching her daughter).  Both of this woman's parents have dementia.  She wants to learn to play piano but also learn it to help prevent dementia in herself.  I started googling the topic to see what I might focus on, maybe somewhat differently, in her quest.  Found the following "paper".  I am always aware that I'm am teaching to the brain and often just observe the synapses firing and know when to shut up.  It's fascinating.  I really want to do the best I can for this woman and find it an inspiring challenge.

Individualized Piano Instruction enhances executive functioning and working memory in older adults
Authors: J. A. Bugosa; W. M. Perlsteinb; C. S. McCraeb; T. S. Brophyb; P. H. Bedenbaugha

Abstract
This study evaluates transfer from domain-specific, sensorimotor training to cognitive abilities associated with executive function. We examined Individualized Piano Instruction (IPI) as a potential cognitive intervention to mitigate normal age-related cognitive decline in older adults. Thirty-one musically naiumlve community-dwelling older adults (ages 60-85) were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 16) or control group (n = 15). Neuropsychological assessments were administered at three time points: pre-training, following six months of intervention, and following a three-month delay. The experimental group significantly improved performance on the Trail Making Test and Digit Symbol measures as compared to healthy controls. Results of this study suggest that IPI may serve as an effective cognitive intervention for age-related cognitive decline.

[birba]

I kid you not!  This really boosted my morale today!  I've always been worried about alzheimers and dementia.  Maybe there's some hope for me...?

[oxy60]

Yes, there is always hope. We're living longer and therefore we're encountering problems in old age that never bothered our parents. Of my high school graduating class of 1955 (born in 1937) almost 80% are still alive.

For much more information and concrete studies may I refer you to the Vrie University (VU) in Amsterdam where long term studies (LASA) (Amsel Project) are being conducted with large numbers of subjects. There are tons of papers published (in English) about these studies which are on file there.

[birba]

Thank you!  By your posts, I would have sworn you weren't more than 30!!!

[stevebob]

I kid you not!  This really boosted my morale today!  I've always been worried about alzheimers and dementia.  Maybe there's some hope for me...?

But you don't need piano lessons. 

I hope that the results aren't exclusive to piano instruction ... for those of us who might wish to "mitigate normal age-related cognitive decline" by learning a new instrument.

In any case, I wonder what the implications are for averting Alzheimers (which I reckon is distinct to "normal" age-related decline).

[birba]

But you don't need piano lessons. 

I hope that the results aren't exclusive to piano instruction ... for those of us who might wish to "mitigate normal age-related cognitive decline" by learning a new instrument.

In any case, I wonder what the implications are for averting Alzheimers (which I reckon is distinct to "normal" age-related decline).

I get it.  I think I see what you're saying.  I've been playing since I was 5 years old.  To get my brain active I should do something different?    Like learning the cello.  That's an idea...

[drorperl]

I once read an interesting article in the subject and there's definitely researches that shows the connection between playing an instrument and reading music (among other brain involved activities ) and preventing dementia. One interesting fact is that usually the musical memory is the one you loose last...a lot of times people who are already in progressing stages can still remember the melodies and even words of their favorite music.

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Dror Perl. Pianist, Composer, Teacher.

https://www.sheerpiano.com/

Sheer Piano: The First Full Color Piano Music Books
simple jazz & contemporary compositions that are fun for beginner pianists & up

[oxy60]

Thank you!  By your posts, I would have sworn you weren't more than 30!!!

THANK YOU! If what you suggest were true I would have still been in elementary school when I lived in Rome.

Back to the subject.. There are a lot of anecdotal stories about ALZ , how to prevent it and how it is caused. One thing is known for sure. Your caregiver will fail from exhaustion long before you. ALZ is harder on the family than it is on the patient. Especially the one who is there 24/7. 

[littletune]

I get it.  I think I see what you're saying.  I've been playing since I was 5 years old.  To get my brain active I should do something different?    Like learning the cello.  That's an idea...

yes cello!!!!! I want sooo much someday to start learning cello too!! I hope I will! And some other instruments too  I was thinking if I started learning a new instrument every 5 years for the rest of my life... Or maybe sometimes even sooner than in 5 years.... And that way I would always be playing some baby pieces