Music to delight my 85 yr old mum with Alzheimer's - ideas please

[ACL]

I would love to hear your ideas for tunes I can download from iTunes for my frail mum. She is starting to find it hard to concentrate on tv shows. She is remembering her childhood and her life when aged in her 20s and 30s but not my childhood. She did serve in the wrens and likes marching tunes but I don't want to play we'll meet again type songs as they evoke negative emotions and she is very anxious at times. Her mother died when my Mum was only 10 mths old and her step-mother verbally abused her and physically abused her brother. She has a borderline personality disorder belatedly diagnosed after i met her psychiatrist re here alzheimers - throughout her life she has been prone to suidical thoughts and mood swings but refused to go to the gp.

I need jolly or calming ideas please to bring a smile to her - Alzheimers and this tragic past is a dreadful mix.

Many thanks.

[Lilymaid]

Would your mother like a compilation of music from Housewives Choice ? She probably heard this sort of music on the radio every day when she was a young mother.

[Katisha]

How about a compilation of songs from the shows?

ANd maybe a relaxing classical complialtion - there a zillions of them. Google a CD and copy the list.

[yellowsubmarine41]

How sad for your both. You need to find some songs that trigger positive memories for her, maybe popular tunes not so much war related from the '40s and '50s. What about swing tunes or big band numbers - they were quite the rage. If her memories of being a young mother were good, then as pp says Housewives Choice or popular songs of the '60s or '70 may work. She may enjoy them even though she can't necessarily place them iyswim.

Classical? Jazz? Hymn? Carols? What were her favourites?

[ACL]

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

You have been so kind and helpful.
Xx