A plaque my grandmother gave me resided on my wall as a child, which I read daily exiting the bedroom: “Who you are is God’s gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.” 

You see, we are all blessed with multiple gifts. I listened to my first calling to teach music, and while I am grateful for the second surprise calling, it does take a toll on one’s body over the years. Visiting my Grandma Sarah at that hospital over a decade ago changed my life. Goosebumps abound every time I tell the story, and it will always be told as a catalyst for this entire, remarkable journey. 

Rest assured, there will be more novels (a sequel is outlined, alongside other book ideas!), but self-care and time with loved ones must prevail. The computer needs to shut down, rest, and reboot in order to function best moving forward. I am certain people understand. 

Thank you all for your loving support. The best way to do so moving forward is to continue sharing my novel (and work), spreading the powerful message of music in the brain with others. Musicians can be super heroes for those with dementia and other ailments! 

Feel free to reach me anytime. In the meantime, tomorrow is never guaranteed so stay well and make every day count! 

Dedicated in loving memory of Mr. Bob Wilhite
#EndAlz #Bloggers #MusicandMemory #Musicians 

Top image courtesy of https://wdrfree.com/stock-vector/sincere-people

Along the same repertoire reasoning, let’s talk ​voice and choice in the ensemble. Why do directors insist on selecting pieces concert after concert? Have we not all learned the critical lesson of encouraging ownership after years of performing ourselves? “Oh man, I hated singing that piece in high school. I can’t believe he made us perform that!” 

We can all relate. 

Access to meaningful repertoire is as critical as understanding one’s purpose in life. Why bother playing an instrument or singing in choir if the music is not enjoyable? We can do more damage than good by not allowing our students the opportunity to invest in music selection. School ensembles suffer massive attrition yearly when relationships do not come first (mutual respect) and students do not feel valued. 

Nothing says, “I value you” more than asking one’s opinion! At the very least, provide options. That’s simple enough. 

​To tie this is a neat bow,  if we want students to walk away from our ensembles as lifelong learners of music, we must do a better job dangling a carrot of respect. By providing students with ownership in planning, we are amplifying their voices and cementing an appreciation not just for music, but their experiences with us. 

Happy summer, everyone! It was my absolute pleasure and honor to speak about my novel with Dr. Andrew E. Budson and the Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center on May 11. When Dr. Budson mentioned this date as a possibility, I knew it was meant to be as it was my grandmother's birthday. A few summary highlights from our conversation are below, as well as the YouTube video. 

One of Dr. Budson's first points is how If Music Be the Food of Love could help readers experience an emotional catharsis, whether currently or previously coping with loss of a loved one to Alzheimer's. By pulling readers so deeply into the character's lives, one might grasp what the disease can unravel over time. Non-fiction resources abound for caregivers, researchers, and those curious about the disease, but not many (historical) fictions exist to provide a unique view into this world.

After describing the hospital visit with my grandmother that started this journey over 10 years ago, Dr. Budson connected the story to neurologists as it pertains to music and memory. Singing music from my grandma's youth triggered various parts of the brain, and in some ways, the episodic and procedural memory pathways remained accessible through specific repertoire. The fact she was also a musician helped, but repertoire choice is critical for creating meaningful connections.

The conversation then validated a call for voice and choice in school music classrooms. If we want students to walk away with lifelong memories accessible until the end of natural life, then providing them with ownership to select said learned repertoire is an obvious consideration. And, in the aftermath of a pandemic where some schools were forced to shut down music programs entirely, changes to ensure student voice or choice and alter teaching practices of director autonomy seems appropriate, if not necessary. 

Weaving in and out of the excerpt readings, Dr. Budson highlighted that people afflicted with Alzheimer's can sometimes pass in social settings as normal for several minutes, but be void of reality. Like that of an iceberg, we aren't really seeing what is under the surface. Those with Alzheimer's can travel in and out of time, similar to the haze described within the novel's character text. The best advice is to keep your loved one at peace with familiarity and routine. Changing routines, settings, or people (caregivers) can bring unfortunate consequence of irritability and sundowning, which causes undue stress for caregivers. In addition, while it is challenging to be asked the same questions repeatedly, it is critical we do not correct or berate our loved one for doing so. This disease can strip away one's identity and we must remember they are not choosing this life change. Let us try to be grateful they are still engaging in conversation! That is something to be thankful for as the long days tick by. 

While the human touch and being physically present is most helpful for keeping our loved ones engaged, we must never underestimate music's power to connect and heal. We were all forced into isolation during the pandemic, but none so severely than those in assisted living facilities around the world; therefore, access to music and technology became hyper critical for connecting with our loved ones. In previous blogs, creating a prescribed repertoire is discussed in depth for those living with dementia at various ages; however, we can ALL benefit from this process, whether numerous recorded CDs or playlists on an iPod. One never knows when music will be needed as a healer, or as a gateway to lucidity to excite or calm us throughout the day. 

Wrapping up before questions, Dr. Budson described how the pandemic brought one positive change to both practical and entertainment arenas. Where one may not have been able to attend lectures or programs in person before, we now have zooming options and at-home concerts from artists who can entertain from the comforts of home via live streaming. As mentioned in the book talk, where there's a will, there's a way. Let us not forget the inherent human need to connect with others we felt during this pandemic, and the countless barriers that came crashing down when people wanted to make music together. Even a pandemic can't keep cultures from sharing music, whether across balconies or via computer across the globe. 

My friends, THANK YOU for watching below. We hope you find our book talk intriguing, helpful, and that you will enjoy reading If Music Be the Food of Love at your leisure!

#ADRC #EndAlz #BostonUniversity #ADC #musicandmemory #booktalk #BostonCenterforMemory #neurologists #caregivers #dementia #musicians #music #musiceducators #AlzheimersDisease #StLouis #authors 

This is the moment where I remind readers that, first and foremost, no medical degrees are in my possession nor will one be awarded in the near future. What I simply have is a platform with which to share pertinent information from neurologists close to the pandemic, who continue to witness the expeditious COVID-19 evolution unravel. To them, we are forever grateful. 

In this quarter's blog, two drastic inquiries are probed for readers:
1. What are the cognitive implications of getting COVID-19?
2. Are the vaccine benefits worth the risk? 

​Boston neurologist, Dr. Andrew E. Budson, weighs in on the first question in his article, "The Hidden Long-term Cognitive Effects of COVID-19" published by Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School in October 2020 (updated March 2021). Budson summarizes the growing evidence on how COVID could create greater neurological problems than people realize. Citing several ways COVID causes damage, Budson mentions scientific studies supporting how it directly impairs cognitive health. From an acute sample in Europe, he remarks:  
“Autopsy data from COVID patients in Finland suggests that another major cause of brain damage is lack of oxygen. Particularly worrisome is that several of the patients who were autopsied did not show any signs of brain injury during the course of their COVID infection — yet all had brain damage.”

People mistakenly think of COVID-19 solely as a respiratory virus, but of course oxygen is the key player running every system in our body. Going without enough for any length of time can initiate permanent havoc. According to NIH, “most hospitalized patients do have symptoms related to the brain or nervous system, most commonly including muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, and altered taste and smell. Some people with COVID-19 either initially have, or develop in the hospital, a dramatic state of confusion called delirium. Although rare, COVID-19 can cause seizures or major strokes. Muscular weakness, nerve injury, and pain syndromes are common in people who require intensive care during infections.” (Courtesy of NIH, March 2021.)

Researchers are still trying to figure out how COVID impacts the brain and other organs long-term, but as Dr. Budson points out, “It is clear that COVID can cause brain damage by direct infection (encephalitis), by strokes, and by lack of oxygen.” 

While many cases can be severe, some are mild. Should you still worry about cognitive health in mild cases? COVID attaches to cells in a unique way, and sometimes, that can cause veins and arteries in the brain to become weak. 

“Breaks in small blood vessels have caused bleeding in the brain (so-called microbleeds) in some people with COVID-19 infection. Studies in people who have died due to COVID-19 infection show leaky blood vessels in different areas of the brain that allow water and a host of other molecules as well as blood cells that are normally excluded from the brain to move from the bloodstream into the brain. This leak, as well as the resulting inflammation around blood vessels, can cause multiple small areas of damage. COVID-19 also causes blood cells to clump and form clots in arteries and veins throughout the body. These blockages reduce or block the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients that cells need to function and can lead to a stroke or heart attack.” (Courtesy of NIH, March 2021.)

While people may experience mild symptoms, the aftermath of residual fatigue and “brain fog” can also be telling of how this virus manifests cognitively. Dr. Budson expands in his March 2021 article, “What is COVID brain fog - and how can you clear it?”: 
“So-called long haulers can have other lingering symptoms including fatigue, body aches, inability to exercise, headache, and difficulty sleeping. Some of these problems may be due to permanent damage to their lungs, heart, kidneys, or other organs. Damage to these organs — or even just the symptoms by themselves — can impair thinking and memory and cause brain fog.”

While many have experienced mild cases of COVID, it is still imperative for people to listen to their bodies. This pandemic has stolen so much already that not taking proper steps to properly recover could cause more harm to rob individuals of their own right minds. 

​Is the vaccine worth the risk? 
While I would never presume to provide advice, Dr. Robert H. Shmerling addresses two common misconceptions of the vaccine in his article, “COVID-19 Vaccines: Safety, Side Effects — and Coincidence” also published by Harvard Health/Medical February 2021. One is how people assume injection includes samples of a live virus, and therefore, might cause COVID. This is not the case. If one contracts COVID around the vaccination, it is highly likely exposure was prior to vaccination, or there was not sufficient time to build resistance. 

Another common misconception involves reports of new health concerns post vaccination. While it’s possible this can occur, the odds are typically coincidental.

“But Denise, the vaccine will alter my DNA.” No, your unique code is established from conception. “mRNA from the vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell and does not affect or interact with a person’s DNA.” (Courtesy of the CDC, March 2021) Dr. Anthony Kamaroff (Harvard Health Publishing/Medical School) expands upon mRNA in his December 2021 informative article, “Why are mRNA vaccinations so exciting?” 

NIH states, “Almost everyone should get the COVID-19 vaccination. It will help protect you from getting COVID-19. The vaccines are safe and effective and cannot give you the disease. Most side effects of the vaccine may feel like flu and are temporary and go away within a day or two… Consult your primary care doctor or specialist if you have concerns regarding any pre-existing known allergic or other severe reactions and vaccine safety.” 

In the grand scheme of things, it is everyone’s choice. In Denise’s world (among many neurologists) of seeing how millions in the US alone are impacted so drastically by forms of dementia like Alzheimer’s already, it is well worth the vaccination to do everything possible to protect your cognitive health. After all, if you have a brain, you’re at risk!  

More information here at https://covid19.nih.gov/ and http://alz.org. 
​ 
#COVID19 #CovidVaccine #CognitiveHealth #EndAlz #CovidandtheBrain #Neurologists #COVID

Today's blog is a celebration of hope for the future.

After years in the revision stages, this novel (inspired by real events) is now gently released to the adept hands of the public with ardent gratitude. Readers can expect to find meaningful, heartfelt love stories in this poignant and relevant work lapsing over generations, while articulate flow easily transports the 21st century audience. 

On behalf of myself and Stellar Press, please enjoy this humble December 16, 2020 book release event to wet your reading palette. Please know that every book sold benefits a great cause! Purchase information HERE. 

Book Release Events:

• Inspiration for writing
• Signed paperback drawing
• Why the second edition?
• Three excerpt readings
• Mystery guest
• Q & A
• Music trivia & signed hardback drawing
• How to make a purchase 

Thank you for watching and stay well everyone! 

Synopsis: Journey through time to relive the passion and romance of three women whose lives were forever altered through the powerful presence of music, opening gateways to true love. Is music enough to save them?

#historicalfiction #novel #musicians #musicandmemory #secondedition #bookstagram #goodreads #endalz #music #musiceducation #authors #publicspeakers #neurologists #romance #fiction #bookreleaseparty

Creative beings live inside us, and to paraphrase M.C. Richards, author of Centering in Pottery, Poetry, and the Person, we must get out of the way and surrender to these ideas and feelings within us. We will never be at peace until we recognize our own unique imprint, and if we refuse said impulses along our path, we will continue to feel cheated by our own life. 

My friends, some of us work tirelessly to live a life of meaning beyond the one, two, or perhaps three diplomas we strived to achieve. The daily regime of work and sleep is not enough. For the strong-willed, this journey is never about a piece of paper, but rather, the impact of what our choices can mean or do for others. 

When you metaphorically stretch out your arms, do you feel your fingertips expanding fully to encompass all those in need of a warm embrace? Are you using your gifts to alleviate other people’s deficits? When you hear a whisper or cry for change, internally or externally, are you truly listening? 

"When the deepest part of you becomes engaged in what you are doing, when your activities and actions become gratifying and purposeful, when what you do serves both yourself and others, when you do not tire within but seek the sweet satisfaction of your life and your work, you are doing what you were meant to be doing. The personality that is engaged in the work of its soul is buoyant. It is not burdened with negativity. It does not fear. It experiences purposefulness and meaning. It delights in its work and in others. It is fulfilled and fulfilling." -Gary Zukav, The Seat of the Soul

In an unprecedented time where uncertainty sits in our subconsciousness, it is easy to take the onslaught of catapulted massive boulders and say, “I can’t do it; it’s too much.” While the pandemic has drained us, it cannot take away the freedom to create meaningful opportunity. Granted, the ability to function in the same manner drastically evolved overnight; however, Covid has yet to stop those dedicated to thinking outside the box.

The bottom line? Never make excuses for setting goals and exercising creativity. 

I started this fiction writing journey to create a commercial pathway to help others discover the power of music for loved ones with memory loss; specifically, Alzheimer’s Disease. From my novel’s initial release in 2013, I have met thousands of people due to one miraculous visit with my ailing grandmother, which shifted my entire trajectory. Making the decision to create was simple. Making a continued commitment to nurse revisions with updated science over the years was exceedingly difficult. But, of course, it was never about me. 

When you hear a whisper, you listen. 
When you know your skill sets carry weight to impact change, you move. 
When you feel like it’s too much, you persevere knowing your imprint will help others. 
Don’t. Give. Up. 
Believe, then succeed. 

Please consider placing a pre-sale order here for my novel coming out this fall. Once again, every book sold will benefit the Alzheimer's Association! Please reach out if I can ever be of service lecturing about music and memory or my writing journey (I'm not done yet!) at your professional organization, book club, business, school, local library, et cetera. Thank you for your support! 

#EndAlz #Musicandmemory #Musicians #Novel #SecondEdition #Music #goodreads #instagram #bookstagram #musiclovers #historicalfiction #romance #stlgram​

“I’m actually in St. Louis today for the Alzheimer’s disease center meetings. Would you be interested in meeting sometime between 9:30 and 1PM for either coffee or lunch?” 

Pick your jaw up from the floor, Denise, and cue Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from The Messiah! 
​
While I’ve had the honor of meeting numerous neurologists along my journey, this particular invitation was the beginning of a wonderful liaison with Andrew E. Budson, MD.  

In September's article, presented Alzheimer's statistics promoted a necessity for all to step into a role initiating difficult conversations with family members on preparedness: "Certainly sharing facts and figures creates awareness, but the sting of today is temporary. We need permanent solutions in place for tomorrow."

Understanding that these encounters are exceedingly tough to navigate in person, we must also evaluate how we can cover our bases when loved ones are far away. How do we handle strenuous situations from afar when it's hard enough to master in person? 

To discuss some ideas, we are welcoming Ms. Claire Wentz of Caring from Afar!

Long-Distance Caregiving: How to Keep Your Senior Loved One Happy and Healthy
 
It can be extremely difficult to be a caregiver to someone you love when you live in different states. However, many adults are unable to move closer to an aging parent or relative. Fortunately, with a little help from technology and a great support team, you can ensure your senior loved one is happy and healthy. Here’s what you need to know:

Get Connected with the Right Phone
To stay connected with friends, family, and medical providers, your loved one must have a reliable, easy-to-use phone. For example, if your loved one prefers flip phones, then opt for something like the LG Exalt LTE, which still offers functionality such as texting and calling. For seniors who want the power of a smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy J3 V 3rd Gen is the way to go. There are also a number of accessories that will help seniors enjoy their phones.

Evaluate the Home for Safety
Even if you are not residing in the immediate area of your senior parent or loved one, you need to check that the home is safe and secure. If they are living independently, visit their home and make sure it’s had all the necessary renovations, including doorways widened and ramps installed for wheelchairs. It should also feature bathroom modifications, such as shower chairs, walk-in tubs, and safety bars. Adequate lighting is vital throughout the home to help avoid falls. The right home improvements can help ensure a senior will be able to age in place at home where they are comfortable and familiar. An easy-to-use security system is also essential.

If your loved one is residing in assisted living or a nursing home, it’s also important to visit the facility as well. Talk to the staff about everything from meals to medication and visiting hours to social activities. Schedule regular conference calls with any doctors and staff to get up-to-date information about your loved one’s health and well-being.

Arrange for In-Home Care if Necessary
For those aging in place, you may need to arrange for in-home care on a part- or full-time basis. Get local referrals from friends and doctors, or use a caregiver service to find the right person for the job. Even if your relative doesn’t need in-home care quite yet, you may want to consider hiring an aging life care professional or geriatric care manager to evaluate their unique situation. These providers are licensed nurses or social workers who can evaluate senior’s needs and coordinate necessary services needed.

Get Local Assistance
If the older adult has no relatives in the immediate geographical area, enlist the help of neighbors, church members, and others nearby to keep an eye out on your loved one and notify you immediately if any issues arise. When your parent or family member is living alone and begins to have difficulties with daily living activities, such as preparing meals, toileting, or bathing, then it may be time to consider assisted living or a nursing facility. These types of facilities can provide assistance with daily activities, as well as access to medical care, transportation, social activities, wellness programs, and other amenities.
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If circumstances prevent you and your aging parent or relative from living in the same city, it can be difficult — but not impossible — to make sure they get the care they need. Visit as often as you can, touch base on a daily basis by phone or video chat, and enlist the help of local caregivers, medical providers, neighbors, and friends. It will take research and dedication, but you can keep your loved one happy and healthy from afar.
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Photo via Pixabay