Memories are such an important part of us. Some people are more forgetful by nature. Others may start having difficulties remembering things as they get older, especially when there are memory-related diseases like Alzheimer's（阿尔茨海默症）in their family. That's why classes like Breaking Grounds in Drumming, a program by Tony Bennett and Chris Lavidas that uses instruments and music techniques to help senior students drum up memories are so important.
The process of creating a memory, preserving it and being able to recover it as needed is a complex one. Our brains need to get the information, translate it into a usable piece of data and then store it in a way that allows us to access it when necessary. Sound frequency, explains Making Music Mag, published by a community that connects music makers, is the internal communication system of the brain. Different frequencies activate particular parts of the brain. By tapping areas of the brain linked to memory and emotions with the correct technique, in this case through music-and drumming, a person can then gain access to past events that would otherwise be lost.
Bennett and Lavidas created their program specifically for seniors in assisted living residences and memory care communities. Through this program, some of the seniors with Alzheimer's can start to recover and preserve some of their lost memories. No experience is necessary to join these classes, and the benefits include intellectual and cognitive stimulation as well as enhanced hand-eye coordination. Besides, it is also an enjoyable hobby and allows the seniors to get some much needed social interaction too. The drumming sessions are engaging and require constant participation, from the students, which helps to stimulate their minds in many ways.
The organization estimates it has educated thousands of seniors over the past ten years. And although Alzheimer's and dementia are conditions whose causes are still currently unknown, they have been able to find a helpful and enjoyable way for patients to make the most of living with their conditions.
