The power of personal music and songs can be overwhelming for any individual. But for those affected by memory challenges and dementia, music can hold the key for communication, pleasure and easing frustrations and anxiety. It can also increase arousal, which can encourage participation in daily activities, therapy and eating. 

Things have been a little rushed in the evenings at the Duggan household last week and this week. Murphy had swimming lessons at 7 p.m. which means getting home, changed and eating dinner happens at double speed! Edward and I alternated who attended lessons with her in an effort to keep Eilish home, cool and on her bedtime schedule. (All the books say babies thrive on routine—as many adults do, too!) I can sum up the sessions I attended in three words: Proud Mommy Moment.

I enjoy cooking, but lately I have really started to appreciate make-ahead freezer meals (prep them for the week, defrost the one you need and go!) and crockpot dinners.

The crockpot has been a long-time favorite of mine, especially in the fall when the leaves start to change and I put a pot of chili on to cook and simmer, blending together all those wonderful flavors and spices.

When I married into the Duggan family, I learned about all-day coffee. Up until that point I believed coffee was strictly a morning drink. My dad was the coffee drinker in our house and I never saw him with a cup of coffee outside of the early morning hours. Of course, he could have been at work guzzling the caffeinated wonder bean by the pot, but I would never know that.