After pianist and WWII veteran Edward Hardy developed dementia, he moved into a care home and found himself feeling lonely, no longer having any bandmates to make music with. Hardy, with the help of a care home employee, decided to advertise for mates to "jam" with, but he never expected the overwhelming response he got.
Over 80 musicians from all over the U.K. responded, saying they'd be delighted to join Hardy in making music at his Somerset, England care home.
"It is amazing so many volunteers have come forward to help me make music," Hardy told SWNS.
Not only have a bassist and saxophonist come in to rock out with Hardy, but the most extraordinary surprise came when he was contacted by three former bandmates whom he had been out of touch with for over 35 years.
"It is marvelous that I've been reunited with my old band," Hardy said.
Hardy played piano in a jazz band for nearly 40 years. But after he moved into his care home, leaving behind his wife at home, he had no one to play with.
But the discovery of his old bandmates has brought hope and joy to Hardy, along with his wife, Betty, joining him at the care home.
“I have missed playing and when I do play now it makes me feel better and young again," Hardy said. The new band is actually planning to do a reunion show in 2016 at the care home.
Music has been shown to have a positive effect on dementia sufferers. Not only have studies found that music can help reduce anxiety in Alzheimer's patients, but they've also found that singing show tunes can improve cognitive skills in dementia patients.
h/t SWNS
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