By Kiara Velez
Music has a powerful and positive impact on people living with Alzheimer’s disease.
For the Hicks family, music is more than a pastime — it’s a language that speaks when words fail.
Jerry Hicks, a lifelong trumpet player in Orlando, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018. Since then, his wife, Chris, has been his primary caregiver, and their daughter, Molly Hicks, has become a passionate advocate in the fight to end Alzheimer’s.
“Music and musical training were so much a part of him that his trumpet calmed him,” Chris said. “Although he’s unable to play anymore, he still enjoys listening to music and lights up when he’s around live music.”
Jerry and Chris first got involved with a musical program through Central Florida Community Arts’ (CFCArts) Big Band. Even after Jerry could no longer play with others, he continued asking for his trumpet.
“You can tell the difference — it affects his mood,” Chris said. “They are people, and the more we can help them tap into who they are, the happier we will all be.”
Where Words Fail, Music Speaks
“Growing up, our neighbor worked for the Alzheimer’s Association, so I’ve been familiar with the group for most of my life,” Molly said. “I never in a million years imagined it would hit me personally.”
Molly’s connection to the cause deepened when her father began showing signs of the disease. Things escalated when her parents moved to Central Florida to be closer to her.
“The move seemed to invoke a lot more confusion for my dad, and my mom began scheduling appointments with neurologists, where he would eventually receive his diagnosis,” Molly said. “I found myself wanting more information about the disease and went to the Alzheimer’s Association website.”
The website – alz.org – offered helpful resources. Molly began fundraising through Walk to End Alzheimer’s events in 2023 and has continued to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Molly also gained firsthand experience while pursuing a degree in music therapy.
“One of my practicum sites was a memory care facility, so I not only saw it with my dad personally, I saw how music impacted my clients every week,” she said. Molly’s music therapy research was inspired by similarities in her dad’s symptoms and the transformative impact she saw in clients living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
“My family is full of musicians — my dad on trumpet, my brother on drums, my mom and I sing,” she said. “A song can change a person’s mood. A song’s beat can help a person with motor skills. A song’s lyrics can bring a smile to someone’s face.”
Incorporating Music as a Caregiver
The Alzheimer’s Association suggests using these tips when selecting music for a person with dementia:
- Identify music that’s familiar and enjoyable to the person. If possible, let the person choose the music.
- Choose a source of music that isn’t interrupted by commercials, which can cause confusion.
- Use music to create the mood you want. For example, a tranquil piece of music can help create a calm environment, while a faster paced song from someone’s childhood may boost spirit and evoke happy memories.
- Encourage movement (clapping, dancing) to add to the enjoyment.
- Avoid sensory overload; eliminate competing noises by shutting windows and doors and by turning off the television. Make sure the volume of the music is not too loud.
Despite the challenges, the Hicks family continues to advocate, fundraise and raise awareness through the Alzheimer’s Association.
“I believe in the Alzheimer’s Association and the impact of its research,” Molly said. “So many people are affected by this disease, and we don’t have to go through it alone.”
For more information, visit alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.
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