“Music is deeply embedded in our minds, lodged in our hearts, woven into our lives and experiences. Even when we no longer have words or physical power, music is still a language we recognize, still a key to life.” – Joe Schick, Music & Memory Executive Director
Dementia is a broad term that encompasses a variety of different medical conditions and describes a range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, thinking, and social abilities that can severely impact daily functioning. Despite advances in medical research, there is currently no cure for dementia, making it essential to explore other interventions that can improve the quality of life for those affected. One such intervention, as simple as it may sound, is music, which has shown promising results in improving the overall well-being of people diagnosed with dementia from a cognitive, psychological, emotional, and social lens.
Cognitive Benefits
Music has been found to have a positive impact on cognitive functions in people with dementia—specifically memory recall. Studies have shown that music from someone’s teenage-into-early-adulthood years is particularly effective in evoking memories. This phenomenon is referred to as the “reminiscence bump” and offers guidance for family and caretakers to create meaningful, personalized playlists for dementia patients. Listening to music from their youth can enhance the quality of life for those with dementia by evoking autobiographical memories.
Psychological and Emotional Benefits
Music can also play a positive role in managing some of the psychiatric comorbidities commonly associated with dementia, such as anxiety, depression, etc. A study at the UC Davis School of Nursing found that by having dementia patients listen to personalized music playlists a few times a week for no more than two hours at a time, the odds of depressive symptoms were decreased by 16%, the odds of reported pain decreased by 17%, the number of days on antipsychotic or antianxiety medications declined by 30%, and aggressive behaviors were reduced by 20%. Overall, participants in this study who engaged in listening to music regularly showed improved mood and behavior compared to those who did not.
Emotionally, the rhythmic and melodic elements of music can provide a sense of comfort and familiarity, reducing stress and agitation while promoting relaxation. Music can also provide dementia patients who struggle with verbal communication with a way to express their emotions to their family and caregivers. For example, picking out songs from a playlist that represent how they feel (e.g., happy songs, sad songs, excited songs, etc.) can allow dementia patients to better communicate with those around them.
Social Benefits
Social isolation and loneliness are common issues affecting individuals with dementia, leading to a decline in overall well-being. Socialization is important because an increased ability to socialize can improve relationships for those with dementia with their family, caretakers, and friends, thereby improving a person with dementia’s quality of life. Music can act as a social connector, bringing people together and facilitating interactions. Social music activities, such as singing in a choir, attending a live concert, or participating in group music therapy sessions provide opportunities for social engagement and foster a sense of community.
The accessibility of music makes it a great social activity for those with dementia. Music is a broad social activity that can encompass a wide variety of actions such as singing, playing instruments, dancing along to a song, or simply relaxing and listening to music. This allows a diverse group of dementia patients at various stages of the condition to participate and gain social interaction, regardless of motor control, verbal abilities, or anything else that may serve as a barrier to being social.
Why is Music so Powerful?
While it’s not entirely clear why music can have such a profoundly positive effect on those with dementia, leading theories suggest that music can stimulate neural pathways that remain relatively preserved even as the disease progresses. We humans tend to retain musical memory quite well throughout our lifetime—this is something that we all know from experience. We can hear the first few beats of a song from our childhood and still somehow know all the lyrics to it, even if we haven’t heard that song in years. We can listen to a catchy song and get all its melodies and rhythms stuck in our heads after merely listening to it a few times. Research into the relationship between music and memories has a lot of potential—further understanding how music evokes memories could lead to specific music-based therapeutic interventions for dementia patients, helping them access otherwise inaccessible memories.
Practical Applications of Music in Dementia Care
Incorporating music into the daily lives of individuals with dementia can be done in multiple ways, both by a professional music therapist and by families/caregivers. Some practical applications of music for dementia care include:
- Listening to Personalized Playlists: Compile a list of songs that hold personal significance for the person with dementia (favorite songs, songs from their youth, aka “reminiscence bump,” etc.) to play during daily routines or as an activity of its own.
- Singing: Encouraging singing along to some of their favorite songs, especially songs with familiar lyrics, can improve verbal communication skills while providing all the other cognitive, psychological, emotional, and social benefits of music.
- Playing Instruments: Use simple instruments such as drums, tambourines, and maracas to engage the person with dementia in the creation of music. Instruments help dementia patients work on their motor control while providing all the other cognitive, psychological, emotional, and social benefits of music.
- Music and Movement: Play happy or exciting songs alongside simple dancing or rhythmic exercises. Movement helps dementia patients work on their physical health and motor control while providing all the other cognitive, psychological, emotional, and social benefits of music.
- Professional Music Therapy Sessions: Engaging in regular music therapy sessions with a certified music therapist can provide structured and goal-oriented interventions that address specific cognitive, psychological, emotional, and social needs. Music therapy can include a wide variety of musical activities, anything from simply listening to music to singing to playing instruments. What’s more, group music therapy sessions have the added benefit of promoting social interaction and creating a sense of community.
Music is incredibly versatile and there are many ways it can be implemented into a dementia patient’s care plan, allowing them to reap the benefits regardless of what stage of the condition they have progressed to or what their current needs and abilities are.
Conclusion
The impact of music on dementia, while still a new area of research, shows incredibly promising results. As explored in the article, music can offer a range of cognitive, psychological, emotional, and social benefits to those with dementia, enhancing their quality of life. Incorporating music-based interventions into dementia care practices can be done in various ways to accommodate a diverse set of needs. By harnessing the power of music, we can create a more supportive environment for those afflicted by this challenging condition.
Sources
[1] Dementias | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
[2] Music & Memory reduces dementia medications and aggressive behavior | UC Davis Health
[3] A Focus on the Reminiscence Bump to Personalize Music Playlists for Dementia | National Library of Medicine
[4] THE BENEFITS OF MUSIC THERAPY FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS | The Connecticut Hospice
[5] Does music unlock memory? | USC Today
