That in many countries the average age is rising, isn’t surprising. After the second world war there was a “babyboom” and the people born then are all reaching their seventies. Getting older unfortunately also means that the body can start funcitoning less than optimal which for some results in dementia. This doesn’t only impact the person, but also the people around him/her. Those who don’t have anyone (or where others can’t take care of them anymore) end up in nursing homes. Because of limited budgets this often means that those people don’t get the attention they need. Their memory slowly disappears and what is left is only the shell of a human. The documentary Alive Inside take a look at the effect music can have on them, with surprising results. Continue reading →