“Coco”: A Song for My Grandfather and All Caregivers

In honor of the United Nations (UN) International Day of Care and Support, celebrated on October 29, 2024, Atlantic Fellow Dani Macri reflects on the creation of “Coco,” a song he and his brother composed to honor their grandfather and share the caregiving journey they experienced.

^{Dani Macri performs "Coco" at a caregiver festival at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco in July 2024. Photo courtesy of Dani Macri.}

When my brother Martin and I created the song, “Coco,” we were driven by our love for our grandfather and the experience of caring for him as he lived with dementia. We watched him slowly fade, but in those moments, we found strength in the love we shared. “Coco” became our way to honor him and express the deep emotional journey of caregiving.

The Personal Journey

Caregiving is a complex and emotional experience. For us, it wasn’t just about helping our grandfather through his illness, but also about facing our own feelings of loss and connection. He had taken care of us when we were children, and now we were able to return that care during his final years. I still remember playing the guitar for him as he tried to sing along, and how my grandmother danced for him just days before he passed away. Those types of moments became the heart of “Coco.”

The song is not just for us, though. We wanted to create something that resonated with other caregivers. Too often, caregiving is an invisible burden, and the emotional weight is left unspoken. With “Coco,” we hoped to provide a bit of relief, accompaniment or support to other caregivers, highlighting the importance of artistic expressions not only in those who accompany but also in those who have one of these health conditions. 

Opening Conversations Through Music

Performing “Coco” at venues like the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference and On Lok Senior Center in San Francisco helped us realize just how powerful music can be in starting conversations. People came up to us afterward, sharing their own caregiving stories. Some told us how the song moved them to tears, while others adapted the lyrics to fit their own family situations. These interactions reminded us that “Coco” wasn’t just about our grandfather; it was about caregivers everywhere, offering them a voice and a sense of connection.

^{Left: Participants sing at a caregiver festival at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco in July 2024; Right: Macri performs at the Miller Memorial event at UCSF in January 2024. Photos courtesy of Dani Macri.}

Creating “Coco”: A Collaborative Process

The process of creating “Coco” was a journey in itself. Produced in both English and Spanish, we worked across Buenos Aires and San Francisco to bring the song to life. With support from the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and guidance from Atlantic Fellow Agathe Vrillon, a neurologist and brain health expert, we ensured the song not only captured our personal caregiving experience but also connected with broader caregiving and brain health communities. Agathe’s insights, drawn from her work with families and caregivers at a memory clinic, helped us frame “Coco” as both an emotional tribute and an educational tool, bridging the artistic and scientific communities. 

But the heart of the project was always the emotional core. Every note and lyric was shaped by the love we felt for our grandfather, and the desire to reflect the caregiving experience in a way that would resonate with others.

Impact and Moving Forward

The response to “Coco” has been overwhelming. Caregivers and scientists alike have told us how the song helped them reflect on their own experiences. For many, it has provided a much-needed outlet to process the emotional toll of caregiving.

Looking forward, we hope to continue sharing “Coco” and expanding the conversation around caregiving and brain health. We’re exploring future opportunities to perform the song, and we want to keep using art as a way to connect with people and bring attention to the important role of caregivers.

“Coco” will always be a tribute to our grandfather, but it’s also become a way to support others on their caregiving journeys. It’s a reminder that even in the hardest times, love and care endure.

Links:

• Listen to “Coco” on Spotify
• Learn more about the process of creating “Coco”