Music’s Role in Dementia Support

Dementia is a broad term used to describe a range of conditions for memory loss and a decline in thinking skills and behavior. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases.

Dementia is a progressive condition that severely impacts an individual's ability to communicate and connect with others.

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s or related dementias, we can connect with people with dementia.

Research has shown that Music therapies can have powerful benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how music plays a crucial role in dementia support and its therapeutic benefits for individuals with dementia.

How Music Affects Our Brains

Think about how hearing an old song you love brings back memories and long-forgotten feelings. Music can take you back to times you haven't thought about in ages. Music can instantly make you feel sad, energized, or calm.

Music has the power to provide a source of comfort, a sense of connection, and support for people during difficult moments or times of distress.

According to the National Library of Music, music engages a diverse network of brain regions and circuits, including sensory-motor processing, cognitive, memory, and emotional components. Music training can bring about structural and functional changes in the brain, positively affecting social bonding, cognitive abilities, and language processing.

People with dementia experience symptoms of depression, agitation, anxiety, and sometimes their ability to communicate with loved ones, especially in the later stages of the disease.

Listening to music can help stimulate parts of the brain to improve mood and social engagement in people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

Benefits of Music Therapy for People with Dementia

Depression, agitation, aggression, and anxiety are common symptoms of dementia. These symptoms are harmful for people with dementia and challenging for caregivers.

Music’s ability to reduce anxiety, depression, and agitation is one of the most profound effects of music on people with dementia. It can also provide a source of comfort and support during challenging moments or times of distress.

Music Therapy uses music to address an individuals' physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs.

Musical therapy can significantly improve mood, cognitive functions, and alertness and enhance memory and engagement of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Amazingly, people with dementia who participate in music therapy programs who were once nonverbal may eventually be able to hum or sing lyrics from a song that connects with them.

In addition, music can improve relationships and help people with dementia connect with loved ones and caregivers.

Tips for Using Music to Help a Loved One with Dementia

Work with a Professionally Trained Music Therapist

A music therapist can create an individualized plan for people with dementia. They will work closely with you and your loved one to identify which types of music will be the most effective.

Memory care programs provide high-quality support for people with dementia and their families. Expertly trained memory care professionals can create one-on-one activities and sensory experiences.

Choose Music Familiar to Your Loved-one

No one style or genre of music benefits people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Music is unique to everyone, and your goal is to choose music with a personal connection to your loved one.

Whether it’s religious hymns, gospel music, or classical, it can be beneficial if your loved one is or was once passionate about the music.

Observe their response and continue to play music where they seem more engaged or content.

Create a Routine

If your loved one is responding positively to and enjoying music. Create a daily routine of their favorite music.

Wrap-up

Music has powerful benefits for people with dementia and their families, including a reduction in depression, anxiety, and aggression. Music therapy can help enhance memory and improve cognition and verbal skills in people with dementia.

It can provide a means of comfort as well as a source of connection and joy for both individuals and their caregivers.

By hiring a professional music therapist, choosing music your loved one connects with, and incorporating music into the daily routine of loved ones with dementia, you can significantly improve their quality of life.