June is National Home Safety Month and National Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month. Sherri talks to Ken Deering, CEO of iGuard Home Solutions about how to prevent fires in the kitchen especially for our older loved ones who may have dementia.

Caregiver Wellness News

For Caregiver Wellness News, Sherri shares the latest news in Alzheimer’s including a partnership between Maria Shriver’s Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement and the Cleveland Clinic. The mission is to conduct more research into why women are more affected by this disease (2/3 of all Alzheimer’s cases are women). Sherri also shares a recent study done on your walking pace and gait – what to know about Alzheimer’s risk by how you walk. This also relates to the 12 modifiable lifestyle factors that the Lancet Commission found may prevent 40% of all dementia cases.

Sherri then turns to Father’s Day (June 19) to share the recent news about action star Bruce Willis and his recent diagnosis of aphasia. His wife and daughters (he has five daughters ranging from ages 7 to 33) made the sad announcement on behalf of their dad and husband early this year.  Most Americans don’t know about aphasia is – Sherri explains.

Pop Culture

June 21 is the Longest Day of the year – a day dedicated to bringing more awareness to Alzheimer’s and brain health. But it is also World Music Day and to commemorate Global Beatles Day on June 25 and International Surf Music Month in June, we curate our favorite tunes from these music icons into our Caregiving Club playlist.  

It’s hard not to choose every song the Fab Four ever did but here are Sherri’s top picks with her personal notes

1. Yesterday (nostalgia and Paul McCartney – perfect pairing for reminiscing)
2. Long and Winding Road (this was my high school senior year song – still love it)
3. Here Comes the Sun (this song just makes you feel positive – it’s a feel good go-to tune)
4. Something (George’s gorgeous love song to this then wife)
5. All You Need is Love (love the wedding scene in “Love Actually” where the musicians pop up to play)
6. 8 Days a Week (don’t we wish we had 8 days????)
7. In My Life (really listen to the words in this song – it is for caregivers!)
8. Let It Be (perfect song for when you need to let something go that is hurting or haunting you)
9. Long Tall Sally (my Mom’s name is Sally so had to include this tune for her)
10. Michelle (don’t know why but this always makes me think of Paris)
11. Money (That’s What I Want) (yes we all need a little more these days)
12. Paperback Writer (had to include this since it has “writer” in it)
13. Penny Lane (my dog is named Penny so this one is for her)
14. Revolution (makes me think of the late Steve Jobs – they played this tune at the Mac Conference when he announced iTunes would carry the Beatles song book – still the best business event I ever attended)
15. Rock and Roll Music (just pure fun and SO danceable!)
16. Twist and Shout (my favorite college dance tune – along with “What I Like About You”)
17. When I’m 64 (how lovely Paul wrote about aging at a young age – he just turned 80 on June 18 and yes Paul – we still love you)
18. With A Little Help From My Friends (what every caregiver needs to play when they feel all alone)

Since I am a California girl (SoCal) born and raised, I love the Beach Boys – they captured the coastal living/surf vibe that just makes you smile and feel the sun on your cheeks (I added two classic non-Beach Boys surf tunes as well). Listen, feel the sand between your toes and float away on the soothing sonic waves!

1. California Girls
2. Don’t Worry Baby
3. God Only Knows
4. Good Vibrations
5. Little Deuce Coupe
6. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
7. Sherry, She Needs Me
8. Surfer Girl
9. Surfing Safari
10. Surfin USA
11. Wipeout by the Surfaris
12. Surf City by Jan and Dean

Well Home Design News

Sherri begins by sharing her Top 10 things to make our homes (and the homes of older loved ones) safer. These are part of the Well Home Design Survey that Sherri has created to help private clients and organizations address not just the accessibility and adaptability design in the home but to also look at environmental health, emotional health and social health as part of a comprehensive and holistic design approach.

Sherri also talks about music in the office environment. Whether in the office or working from home, the therapeutic effect of music – or sonic psychology – help us be more productive. This comes from a recent research study done at the University of Miami.

Me Time Monday Wellness Hack

We finish the episode as always with our Me Time Monday Wellness Hack on music therapy. Music making is the best brain workout you can do – it helps us sleep, helps alter our moods and provides powerful memories, it makes food taste better and family caregivers can use music to engage with loved ones, especially those with Alzheimer’s. It’s all part of Sherri’s upcoming book, “Me Time Monday – The Weekly Wellness Edit for a Wonderful Life.”

As promised, here is Sherri’s nighttime sleep aid of classical music favorites. She is a Beethoven girl but also loves beautiful soundtracks – see her notes below. Sweet dreams.

String Quartet No. 14 C Sharp Minor – Beethoven (violin) – used in TV series “Band of Brothers”

Piano Concerto no 5 in e flat major op 73 “Emperor” – Beethoven (also called “Immortal Beloved”)

Pavane – Gabriel Fauré (for some reason this reminds me of childhood)

Libestraume (Love Dream) – Franz Lizst (piano)

Tristesse – 12 Etudes, Op 10, No 3 – Chopin (piano)

Rhapsody on a Theme from Paganini – Rachmaninoff (piano) – used in the movie “Somewhere in Time”

I Had a Farm in Africa – John Barry (from “Out of Africa”) makes you feel like you are gently soaring

On Golden Pond (Main Theme) – Dave Grusin (reminds you of nature)

The Notebook – Aaron Zigman (romantic and hopeful – since this movie had an Alzheimer’s theme I end with this lovely tune for June)

RESOURCE LINKS

iGuard Home Solutions

National Aphasia Association

Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement – Maria Shriver’s organization partners with the Cleveland Clinic

JAMA Network – “Association of Dual Decline in Cognition and Gait Speed With Risk of Dementia in Older Adults” research paper

Lancet Commission – report on 12 modifiable lifestyle factors that may reduce Alzheimer’s risk by 40%

Sage Journals – “The effect of music listening on work performance” – how music can make us more productive at work

American Music Therapy Association – learn more about using music as therapy for those with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and more.

SingFit – one of the best music apps to use with older loved ones to get them to sing along

Caregiving Club’s Snug Home Well Home Design Checklist

Sherri’s articles related to this episode

The Language of Dads – Bruce Willis and Aphasia

Difference in Caring for Moms versus Dads

Music Therapy – a 5-Note Plan for Caregiver Calm

Alzheimer’s App Uses Singing to Boost Mood

6 Tips for Dementia-Friendly Home Design

Preventing Home Fires and Falls at Home

Mental Health in the Workplace Benefits Employees