RELATE, MOTIVATE, APPRECIATE - Alzheimer's Australia

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Activity 7.
Feel the rhythm
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This activity is very similar to Activity 6, but it is
non-verbal. The activity uses a rhythm instrument
(such as maracas).
Find out what the person’s favourite music style,
artists and songs are. You may already know, but
you may need to ask other family members or, if
relevant, facility staff for more recent preferences.
You may find maracas or a different rhythm
instrument at an Op shop or variety store.
At home you can use your stereo, but if you are
visiting in a facility, it may help to upload music on
a portable music player (MP3 or phone) and bring
portable mini speakers for better sound.
LISTENING ACTIVITIES
It may be best to find a quiet place, so
that the person feels free to join in.
Preparation
Upload music on a portable music player (MP3 or
phone) and bring portable mini speakers.
Find a rhythm instrument (such as maracas).
Alternatively you could make your own rhythm
instrument, perhaps with the person. For example,
you could fill empty paper towel rolls or plastic
bottles with rice, beans or coins and tape the ends.
To make this into an activity you can decorate the
rolls using the person’s favourite colours or
patterns; you could use paint, coloured paper or
fabric.
The activity
1. You could ask the person, using the associated
pictures of the artists, which music they would
like to listen to. If the person finds it hard to
choose, you can just start a song of your choice
and observe the response. It may need some
trial and error, because their preferences
sometimes change.
2. Give an instrument to the person to hold and
keep one for yourself (if there is a pair).
3. Demonstrate how to use the instrument.
4. Shake the instrument with the music and
encourage the person to join in.
5. Shaking or not, as long as the person is engaged
you can continue this activity. Other positive
indicators include humming, head bobbing and
drumming on the table.
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You could try:
• just listening to the music
• moving with the rhythms yourself
with the person watching
• clapping to the music instead of using
instruments
• holding the person’s hands or
supporting their elbows to assist the
shaking
• looking at pictures of the artists and
talk about who they are, what they
are doing, what kind of clothes they
are wearing.
You may want to:
• use different rhythms and invite the
person to follow suit
• let the person set the rhythm and pace
• work with one instrument in each
hand; shake different rhythms with
each hand.
RELATE, MOTIVATE, APPRECIATE 27