To the editor:

Last weekend, as I do frequently (not frequently enough, I fear) I visited a dear friend in an area Alzheimer’s unit. There was a young lady present with her guitar (a student from Kansas University), playing traditional music, with lyrics that were popular many years ago. She interspersed this sing-along with simple word games. The reaction that this young girl elicited from the residents, who were sitting in a complete circle around her, was beyond remarkable.

I watched in amazement (and tearfully joined in) while, almost without exception the residents either sang the lyrics straight through, or at least obviously were trying to do so! They were eagerly involved in the completion of simple prose phrases that we all use daily as well.

I am, frankly, teary-eyed just reliving the experience. These are people who for all practical purposes do not speak! As she left she went around the circle and shook hands or hugged each person. Almost without exception, they responded, showing an elevated level of awareness from what I have often observed among this group.

To think that this country still produces young people of the caliber of this girl overwhelms me. Never mind that she is probably working on a degree, or that she says she wants to do music therapy, or that what she was doing may have been part of an assigned or voluntary project. She is already a music therapist! Her loving attitude toward, and understanding of, her audience shows that she will shine in that endeavor if that remains her goal. May this country be blessed with more of her stature.

Arthur W. Elkins,

Belton, Mo.