People with dementia experience gradual memory loss and often become unable to care for themselves. But this man with dementia is winning hearts online after a video showed him playing a piece of music he composed decades ago.
Paul Harvey, 79, suffers from dementia. He composed the tune for ‘Where’s The Sunshine’ during the 1980s while serving as head of music at Imberhorne School in East Grinstead, West Sussex.
So when he visited his son Nick in Crowborough, East Sussex, he amazed everyone when he played the piece note for note. A video posted by Nick on his Twitter account shows him playing the tune perfectly.
Nick, a music composer for TV, wrote: ‘Father has dementia. Here and there he floats into a different universe and I sense that I’m losing him. He is never progressively present, anyway than when he plays the piano. He went to mine today and I solicited him to play one from his pieces. He figured he wouldn’t probably recollect it.’
No wonder the video went viral, with more than a million views on Twitter in just 24 hours. Artist and lyricist Emeli Sandé, who saw the post, commented ‘lovely,’ while former Labour Party leader Tom Watson shared it on his social media.
Dad has dementia. Sometimes he drifts into another world and I feel like I’m losing him. He is never more present, however, than when he plays the piano.
He came to mine today and I asked him to play one of his compositions. He thought he wouldn’t be able to remember it. pic.twitter.com/EQGcXBwB3w
— Nick Harvey (@mrnickharvey) June 23, 2019
Paul attended Guildhall School to study music during his younger days, and in the 1970s, he worked as a professional piano player and author.
When his son Nick was born, he went into teaching to secure a stable salary and composed the music for Where’s The Sunshine, with head of drama Pete Talman writing the song’s verses.
‘I don’t have the foggiest idea what to state, I have dependably evaded exposure,’ clarified Paul. ‘I have dementia and you simply continue onward! For whatever length of time that I have access to my piano, that is the primary concern. I am satisfied that something I’ve composed has had such an impact. It’s come so late throughout everyday life, it demonstrates that it can occur whenever.’
Research has proven that music has therapeutic benefits and is used as a treatment for people with dementia, as it can impact parts of the brain that other therapies cannot reach.
Nick also shared how revisiting music from his father’s past has had a positive effect on his dad.
This article is a beacon of hope for all those living with dementia and their caregivers. Music therapy should be used in hospitals and even at home.
WATCH: Man with Dementia Stuns Millions After Playing Song He Wrote Decades Ago
