79. ALIVE INSIDE: A STORY OF MUSIC AND MEMORY

the capacity of music to reach deep into our soul and revive memories past.  that's the theme of this film.  a social worker took an ipod to a nursing home and placed headphones on a man who is always disengaged and non-verbal.  he sprang to life--singing, talking, and telling stories.  it was amazing!  an expert notes that the part of the brain which stores music and associated memories is generally not touched with alzheimer's.  he began on a quest to provide ipods to all 16,000 nursing homes in the united states.  lofty goal for sure, but steadily, more and more homes are jumping on board to provide the experience to their residents.  i cried through this whole film!  it is sweet to see these blank, empty faces revitalized with good memories.  i think i've just decided a perfect gift for my mom for christmas!