Folk songs work for some, jazz for others, the big band sound for many. Tomaino cautions that music also has the power to resurrect painful feelings. No had one told Tomaino that a Jewish woman in the group had survived a concentration camp. After a few notes, the Jewish woman began screaming. Then she stopped talking for two days.
Scientists have yet to prove exactly how music is therapeutic.
Tomaino says that in simple terms,researchers think people never lose all memories or behaviors. Rather, they lose the ability to tapinto them. Janet Williams, a music therapist, warns families to be realistic in their expectations. Above all, themusic should give people some joy.