Hey everybody, it's Anne here.

If you don't know somebody with memory loss, you will.

Because Alzheimer's disease is at epidemic levels and it's increasing.

But before you get too depressed, today's episode is about novel ways of connecting with people with memory loss, without memory, but with music and art and storytelling.

Stay tuned. Wisconsin Public Radio

It's to the best of our knowledge.

I'm Anne Strange Champs.

Millions of people are caring for somebody with severe memory loss,

trying to find ways to connect.

One of the best ways anybody's found is music.

My mom is 89 now and was diagnosed about two years ago with what they call late onset Alzheimer's.

I'm going to be. at Alzheimer's. This is our producer, Shannon Henry Clyber. Today's show begins with her discovery of the unexpected power of a song.

When my mom started in memory care, I looked for ways to try to engage for more. You know, this thing about having Alzheimer's and living in the moment is you have all this time,

but you're not sure what to do with it.

Mom, are you ready for an interview? I don't know.

Okay. Well, we can stop anytime you want.

Yeah.

She doesn't have long bursts of communication.

Are you getting a little tired?

A little bit. Not a lot.

Well.

Two of the things I tried to do were to bring her some art supplies and do some painting or drawing with her.

...