Monday, February 5, 2018 – When I saw the neurologist last she put me on the lowest dose of Galamantine, a dementia medicine.  It is not making me lightheaded, just a tiny bit, but not like the others started doing.  It does seem to be helping a little with remembering what things are called.  I’ll take any amount of help. The dosage can be increased each month to a maximum of 24 mg per day.  We’ll see what the neurologist says when I go back next.

 

Original blog 02.23.17 – As Alzheimer’s took hold of Ted McDermott, he started forgetting his family. He also started getting violent. His family watched on, heartbroken. But then his son, Mac, had a brilliant idea. Ted has always been a talented singer. So, his devoted son uses music to battle his dad’s Alzheimer’s!

God gifted Ted with a beautiful singing voice, something he’s always treasured. There was a time when Ted traveled around Britain, singing in night clubs and pubs. When he finally settled down and started working in a factory, he continued to sing on the side.

An Awful Diagnosis In 2013, Ted and his family got terrible news. Ted was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It progresses over time, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior.

As the disease took hold, Ted started forgetting his family.

“In the last few years his memory has deteriorated a lot – often not recognizing me as his son,” his son Mac explained. “It’s a horrible illness.”

The memory loss was tough. But the outbursts only made things worse.

“The more the Alzheimer’s kicked in, the more Dad became violent – both physically and verbally. It was incredibly difficult to manage, and terrifying at times,” Mac said.

Then, one day, Mac had an idea.

“My dad’s been a singer all his life and entertainer all his life,” Mac explained. “He’s a real character and he loves singing. He’s got a good voice.”

Ted has music in his bones. So, Mac reason that maybe it would reach him in a way no one else could.

When Mac noticed Ted starting to zone out, he put on some of his favorite songs. Just as he’d hoped, Ted sang along, remembering the lyrics!

Mac was on to something. And now the devoted son uses music to battle his dad’s Alzheimer’s!

An Internet Star Is Born

Mac found that listening to music with his dad works wonders.

“When we’ve got him singing again he’s back in the room. It’s these moments that we treasure,” he said.

Ted became known on Facebook as The Songaminute Man. Mac started filming these special moments in a James Corden Carpool Karaoke style.

Listen to Ted sing by clicking HERE:

The videos of the sweet son driving his beloved dad around while the two belt out melodies together quickly went viral. Ted was officially a singing sensation!

Thanks to all the hype the father and son duo received online, a dream came true for the pair. Record executive Alexander Van Ingen spotted the videos and quickly signed Ted as an artist. He described Ted as “truly remarkable for any singer, let alone one 80 years of age.”

Ted will soon release his first single, a cover of Frank Sinatra’s You Make Me Feel So Young, to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. And Mac can’t believe it.

“It’s amazing to think he has a single coming out,” he said.

Music is a gift from God, and it’s amazing to see this gift used to heal!

From GodVine at http://www.godvine.com/

Please come back next time when I’ll share more topics about dementia. If you want to get an email whenever I post a blog (I write about other things, not just Alzheimer’s) find the “FOLLOW” box which is usually to the right hand side somewhere, enter your email and respond when the confirmation email is sent to you.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself, in your role as a caregiver, or if you have any specific questions please send me a comment with whatever information you want to share or ask about. I’ll say again that I’m not expert, but I probably experienced with my mom a lot of things you’re going through and will try my best to help. If I don’t know the answer I will tell you I don’t know. I’ll never judge, I’ve been judged enough to last a life time and would never do that to someone else. My email address is rosalyn@selu.edu if that is an easier way to communicate.

I am creating my own graphics with scriptures.  When I can, those will be the ones I’m sharing here.  Another way to help expand the use of my brain to keep it ship shape!

Until next time,