Life Rhythms Fosters Memory and Connection

Sharing music is a natural part of the human experience that dates back to prehistoric times. Songs and rhythms have the innate ability to provoke strong emotions and are the foundations for many of our early memories, from joyous celebrations to solemn memorials. Highland Park-based Life Rhythms combines music, drumming and other sensory-stimulating activities to foster the creative spirit in seniors and people living with cognitive impairment. Founder Noah Plotkin, a renowned Chicago-area percussionist, says Life Rhythms promotes the power of holistic wellness through music. “We strive to provide engaging, enriching experiences that allow families and loved ones to connect in a way they might otherwise not be able to,” says Plotkin. 

Music is undeniably one of the most effective ways for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias to engage. A study published by the National Institutes of Health suggests that musical memories are preserved even after other areas in the brain begin to deteriorate. “Research shows that the brain’s musical pathways remain intact much longer than other areas of the brain, even after speech and short-term memory fade. Drumming circles and other rhythm-based activities help tap into the long-term memory storage and can reduce the sense of isolation many Alzheimer’s and dementia patients must feel as their verbal communication skills decline. Music is literally the medicine that cannot be bottled or sold,” says Plotkin. 

While Plotkin has operated group programs in assisted living facilities and with organizations such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, he is currently focusing on in-home sessions for a more personal experience. “Fostering drum circles in the home brings a nurturing and uplifting energy to the whole space. Clients are generally more comfortable in their own surroundings and can more easily tap into memories that already exist in that place. We invite family members and loved ones to participate, and it truly brings everyone together at a time when clients and caregivers can feel isolated. They are creating an experience together that they can go back to anytime,” he explains. 

Plotkin provides the instruments, including tambourines, shakers and a variety of drums. Clients are engaged with call-and-response activities, hands-on prompts and other sensory-stimulating cues. He begins most sessions with introductory sing-along exercises on the guitar, encouraging participants to sing, tap, clap or hum along. “We meet participants exactly where they are at every session. Some days an otherwise nonverbal client will begin singing; other days they’re able to open their eyes a little brighter. No matter the external response, we can see that a change is happening within,” he notes. 

Participants don’t need to have any special music background to benefit from the interactive sessions. Plotkin draws from an extensive knowledge of music styles and genres, including jazz, blues, gospel, folk and even rock ‘n’ roll. “We tailor the sessions to the individual and offer music they know and grew up with. For many in this generation, that includes artists like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Steve Goodman. Nearly everyone remembers This Land is Your Land, This Little Light of Mine and Take Me Out to the Ball Game, whether they sang them at school, home or religious institution. Even clients that have been nonverbal are often able to tap along with the rhythm or even sing a few words. We almost always end with the Tin Pan Alley classic Side by Side, which often elicits warm smiles and even triumphant outbursts,” Plotkin muses. 

Contributing to a drum circle or other music program can also provide seniors with a sense of purpose, something that is lost for many with cognitive decline. “Participants are able to see their children and grandchildren light up in response to the activities. They feel that they are still providing wellness and fulfillment and are helping to create memories that will last a lifetime. The music allows them to reconnect with loved ones on a primal level that does not require the use of words,” Plotkin says. 

Life Rhythms’ goal is to lay the foundation for the participants and families to continue with drumming and music on their own. Plotkin suggests three to four sessions to begin, and offers the first one free as an introduction. “Once they learn the basics of the exercises, it’s something families can come back to at any time. Whether they create a regular music ensemble in their home or occasionally clap along to songs they know, they are fostering valuable connection and stimulation. We all have an innate rhythm that we move to, and drumming allows us to literally tap into our own unique vibrations and share that with others, at any stage of life,” notes Plotkin. 

For more information, visit LifeRhythmsInc.com or email [email protected].

Carrie Jackson is an Evanston-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.