May 4--Five years after Harlan Snow's Alzheimer's diagnosis, his wife Joy Snow has watched what she calls the "slow, depressing process" of seeing her husband withdraw into a different world.
The former conductor and music educator has lost his ability to speak and to walk. Once a great tenor, he can't sing anymore. When Joy misses a visit to his nursing home, her husband seems unaware of her absence.
But last summer, Snow watched the television competition show "America's Got Talent" with his wife at Salt Lake City's Veteran's Nursing Home. One of his former students, opera soprano Barbara Padilla, competed throughout the season, singing Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro," Francesco Sartori's "Time to Say Goodbye," and then "Ave Maria" in the semifinals and finals.
The music he heard on television brought back memories of the time he had spent in Guadalajara training Padilla. Music had awakened something inside him, Joy said.
Although Harlan is unable to leave the nursing home, his wife will be one of the participants in "Making Sense of Alzheimer's Month," a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the Utah Symphony, Utah Opera and the Utah chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
Throughout May, USO is offering discounted concert tickets, Abravanel Hall tours and special programs for those with the disease and their caregivers. Musicians will also perform at seven assisted-living centers during the month.
In the past,
the symphony has offered programs for the visually impaired and those with autism. But this is the first time the Utah Symphony has added musical programs for Alzheimer's patients.
The "Making Sense" program is thought to be the first of its kind in the nation, said Drew McManus, a national symphony consultant.
Too often those with the disease -- as well as caregivers like Joy Snow -- are relegated to the shadows of society, said Paula Fowler, US -- UO director of education and community outreach. "Just because their memories aren't working well, it doesn't mean they can't use their senses," Fowler said.
"When you have Alzheimer's, you're written off a lot," agreed Sylvia Brunisholz, family services counselor for the Utah chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
It's imperative for those with Alzheimer's and caregivers remain socially engaged, physically active and challenged mentally, said Dr. Norman Foster, professor of neurology at the University of Utah. He's director of the U's Center for Alzheimer's Care and senior investigator at The Brain Institute.
"It's important to realize that many cognitive and emotional abilities are spared and remain undamaged," Foster said. "We too often focus on what they can't do, and not what they can do."
Foster has spent years researching the effects of Alzheimer's, and has seen evidence of the power of music while caring for patients.
While some patients have no short-term memory, they can remember songs they learned as a child. "Sometimes patients can hum a tune when they can't speak a sentence," he said.
,
Besides offering patients with Alzheimer's the sensory joy of seeing and hearing professional musicians perform, the Alzheimer's Association wants caregivers to learn more about keeping their loved ones' senses sharp. For example, the association will hand out Cumming's truffles to every patient who attends a "Making Sense of Alzheimer's" event, to heighten their sense of taste.
One form of therapy for Alzheimer's patients -- known as Snoezelen Therapy -- was developed in 1970 by two Dutch researchers. It encourages caregivers to stimulate, relax, calm or energize people with dementia by providing a multi-sensory experience or single sensory focus. By changing the patients' surroundings -- such as taking them on tours or to concerts -- caregivers can gently stimulate the senses.
That's why, for example, the first event in the "Making Sense" series was a tour of the Utah Opera Production Studios, where patients were allowed to touch, smell and see the elaborate, colorful costumes.
"We're hoping to awaken the caregiver to remind them that there are other options," Brunisholz said. There are more than 40 support groups in the state, and the "Making Sense" events will give caregivers the chance to connect with others, as well as sharing musical experiences with their loved ones.
dburger@sltrib.com
Making Sense of Alzheimer's Month"
Call 801-533-6683 for tickets
Call 801-265-1944 for more information about the activities
May 5, 2 p.m. -- Tour of Abravanel Hall; 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City; free
May 7, 10 a.m. -- Saint-Saens piano concerto at Abravanel Hall; free for Alzheimer's patients, $10 for caregivers
May 17, 6:30 p.m. -- Performance lecture before Utah Opera performance of "Suor Angelica" and "Gianni Schicchi" at orchestra level of Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City; free with performance ticket
May 17, 7:30 p.m. -- Utah Opera performance of "Suor Angelica" and "Gianni Schicchi" at Capitol Theatre; free ticket for Alzheimer's patients, $12 for caregivers
May 29, 7:15 p.m. -- Performance lecture before Utah Symphony performance of Mahler's "Titan" at Abravanel Hall first tier room; free with performance ticket
May 29, 8 p.m. -- Utah Symphony's "Titan" at Abravanel Hall; free ticket for Alzheimer's patients, $12 for caregiver
Tickets -- 801-533-6683 for tickets
Info -- 801-265-1944
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