Mountain View News Satuurday, September 26, 2026 
77SENIOR HAPPENINGS Mountain View News Satuurday, September 26, 2026 
77SENIOR HAPPENINGS 
THE POWER OF MUSIC THERAPY FOR THOSE LIVING 
WITH DEMENTIA 

For families caring for a loved one with dementia, finding meaningful ways to connect can sometimesbecome difficult. Memory loss, confusion, and changes in communication can make conversationsand familiar routines challenging. One approach that can provide comfort and connection is musictherapy. 

Music has a unique ability to reach people even when other forms of communication become difficult.
A person with dementia may not remember a family member’s name or recognize where they are,
yet they may still remember the words to a favorite song from decades ago. Familiar music can bringback memories, encourage participation, and create moments of happiness and connection. 

Music therapy can involve singing, listening to familiar songs, playing simple instruments, movingto music, or even discussing memories associated with particular songs. These activities can beadapted to the individual's abilities and interests. 

Research suggests that music-based activities may help improve mood and quality of life and mayreduce feelings of anxiety or agitation for some people with dementia. Music can also provide anopportunity for caregivers and family members to interact with their loved one in a positive waywithout relying entirely on conversation. 

The key is choosing music that is meaningful to the individual. Songs from their teenage and young-
adult years, favorite musicians, religious or cultural music, or songs associated with important life 
events may be especially meaningful. 

Music therapy does not cure dementia, but it can help create moments of connection when wordsand memories become harder to access. For families, those moments can be incredibly valuable.
Sometimes, a familiar song can accomplish what words cannot—it can bring back a feeling, a 

memory, or simply a smile. 


When it comes to music, 
I am quite a fan. I enjoy all 
kinds of music, though some 
more than others. When 

I’m driving, I love having the radio on andlistening to music. Sometimes I jump fromstation to station listening to different kindsof music. 

Although I love music, I am not the personanyone would want to sing. If you ever heardme sing, you might have a little pause aboutmusic yourself. 

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage hasbeen playing the piano since she was a younggirl. Her father played the piano, and she hasfollowed in his footsteps. She is quite good atthe piano, and she has been the pianist in allthe churches we have pastored. 

Even in retirement, she plays the piano at ourSunday morning service. 

I don’t know why this thought came to me. Butwhen I was in first grade, I took violin lessons.
That was in 1957. I don’t quite remember whyI took violin lessons. But everybody in firstgrade was invited to take some music lessons.
One day, my first-grade teacher asked me,
“Would you like to take violin lessons?” 

Who in their right mind would ever say no totheir first-grade teacher? So, I told her I would,
and she set me up for my first lesson. 

At the time, music wasn't part of my life. Wedidn’t have TV, and at my age I rarely listened 

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

I USED TO TAKE VIOLIN LESSONS 


to the radio. The only music that I heard wasin church on Sunday. What I brought to thatviolin lesson is beyond my comprehension. 

My parents bought me a violin, and I practicedat home. At least I thought I was practicing.
My music was so terrible, and it showed in myviolin lessons, that the violin teacher called ameeting with my parents. 

I was excited because I thought he was goingto tell my parents what a wonderful violinplayer I was. However, when the meetingstarted, it was completely different from whatI expected. 

The teacher looked at my parents, then lookedover at me, then back at my parents and said,
“If you have any respect at all for music youwill take your son out of these violin lessons.
I’ve never had a worse student in my life.” 

Of course my parents were surprised, as I 
was. Out of respect for the violin teacher, theyremoved me from his class. On the way home,
both my parents were silent. I never heardanything from them about that meeting. Thatweek they sold my violin. 

Nothing has changed throughout the years.
I’m still as bad at music as I ever was. 

It’s good to know what you can’t do so you canadjust your life. 

As a pastor, I’ve had to lead the congregation 
in singing hymns. Fortunately, The Gracious 

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A CAREGIVER’S GUIDE TO MEDICARE 

Caring for an aging parent or loved one? Learn what every caregiverneeds to know about Medicare coverage, costs and common pitfalls. 

Dear Savvy Senior,
I’m taking care of my elderly father who recently had a stroke and have a lot of questionsabout how Medicare works and what it covers. He’s enrolled in original Medicare. Canyou help me? –Caregiving Connie 

Dear Connie, 

Taking care of a parent after a stroke is hard enough without having to figure outMedicare too. The good news is that understanding the program can make life a loteasier. Knowing what’s covered – and what isn’t – can help you plan ahead, avoid costlysurprises and make sure your father gets the care he needs. Here’s a practical guide toget you started. 

Medicare basics 

One of the best places to start is the official “Medicare & You” handbook. It explainsbenefits and services in plain language. Medicare mails an updated copy every fall, butyou can also view it online at medicare.gov/medicare-and-you. 

For questions, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 to speak with a representative. They canclarify coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, home health care, and more. 

Your state’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is another greatresource. SHIP counselors provide free, one-on-one counseling to help you understandyour coverage, identify cost-saving programs, and answer questions about Medicare.
Find a counselor near you at shiphelp.org or 877-839-2675. 

Caregivers should also create a secure Medicare account at medicare.gov/account/login.
Once your father’s account is set up, you can review his coverage, track claims, checkthe status of medical services and prescriptions, and see which preventive benefits he’seligible for. It’s an easy way to stay organized and keep all of your father’s Medicareinformation in one place. 

Choosing providers

Medicare also lets you compare providers online at medicare.gov/care-compare. Youcan search for doctors, hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, hospice providers, andmedical equipment suppliers in your area. This is especially useful after a stroke, whenyour father may need rehabilitation or specialized care at home. 

Covered services 

Original Medicare covers many services your father may need, including hospital care,
doctor visits, lab tests, and outpatient treatments. 

It also covers home health care if your father is homebound, under a doctor’s care, andneeds part-time skilled nursing or rehabilitation therapy, such as physical, occupationalor speech therapy. 

Medicare also covers medically necessary durable medical equipment and suppliesprescribed by a doctor, including oxygen, wheelchairs, walkers and catheters. Short-
term skilled nursing care in a facility may also be covered for up to 100 days after aqualifying hospital stay. 

Prescription medications are generally covered through a separate Medicare Part Dplan, which helps pay for many outpatient drugs your father may need. 

Hospice care is covered for patients with a terminal illness and a life expectancy ofsix months or less, as certified by a doctor. It includes nursing care, medications forcomfort and short-term respite care to give caregivers a break. 

However, Medicare generally doesn’t pay for long-term custodial care at home, inan assisted living facility or in a nursing home. That means it generally won’t coverongoing help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, using the bathroom orsupervision for someone with dementia. Routine dental care, dentures, eye exams forglasses and hearing aids are also not covered. 

Cost help

If your father has limited income and resources, check programs that help reduceMedicare costs. Extra Help assists with prescription drug expenses, and MedicareSavings Programs can help pay premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. 

Visit medicare.gov/basics/costs/help or call 800-633-4227 to learn more or checkeligibility. 

Taking time to understand Medicare can make caregiving a little less stressful. It helpsyou stay on top of appointments, treatments and equipment needs, while giving yougreater confidence that your father is receiving the care and benefits he’s entitled to. 

Mistress of the Parsonage was playing thepiano and played it so loud nobody couldhear me singing. I didn’t catch up to that untilmany years later. 

Some people are just gifted in music. I watchedthe TV show America’s Got Talent and 
listened to all the music people auditioned. It’samazing how much musical talent they haveon that show. 

Even though singing is not my forte, I certainlyenjoyed listening to music. Sometimes the ear 
is more profitable than the mouth. 

I remember one time I was in the shower, 
and for some reason I began singing. A fewmoments later, The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage came to the bathroom, knocked onthe door, and said, “Are you okay? You soundlike you’re in pain.” 

I didn’t know she could hear me singing inthe shower. So, that was the last time I sang inthe shower. Now I only sing when I’m drivingacross town by myself. 

When I get to heaven, I hope I have a goodsinging voice. Until then, I’m going to keep mysinging to myself. 

We attend church on Sunday night, and theyhave a lot of music and singing. Older peoplegetting up on the pulpit and singing like anangel impress me. No Sunday night goes bythat I don't want to get up and sing myself. Butout of great respect for the congregation’s ears,
I refuse that impulse. 

Just because I can’t sing doesn’t mean I don’tappreciate others who are singing. I enjoylistening to them, and after the service, I liketo shake their hand and tell them what a goodjob they did. 

It’s not that I can’t sing; it’s just that I have a 
terrible voice. I do not know the difference 
between one musical note and another. To 
me, they’re all the same. I guess I’m just a 
monotone. 

Some award should be waiting for me becauseI haven't cursed the world around me with mysinging. That should be worth something. 

The Bible says something interesting alongthese lines.

 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let everyman be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow towrath” (James 1:19).

 Many are swift to speak and slow to hear. IfI would actually hear something, I would beslow to judge someone.

 Like The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonagesays to me, “God gave you two ears and onemouth for a purpose.” In that light, I’m goingto work hard at using my ears more than mymouth. 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com