Music and dementia care

Music and dementia care are very important and recent research has shown some amazing results in relation to music therapy and dementia. Music therapy and music in general has been shown to alleviate symptoms associated with dementia. 

Why music? 

Research has shown that listening to music releases endorphins in the brain. These are chemicals which can trigger happy, positive feeling which can be felt across the body. Despite what is happening with the dementia patient, the right sort of music (so something that they really enjoy) is still shown to raise chemicals within the brain. This in turn is though to help to improve the patient’s alertness and awareness. 

Music can help dementia patients to be more engaged and is a way for them to connect with what is happening around them. The therapy can vary from music that is played to the patient, to music groups that they are involved in, singing or creating music. Much research is being undertaken to see whether music may actually be able to undo the damage caused by dementia, but there is no conclusive evidence available on this. 

Using music as a calming method for dementia patients can help reduce any extraneous sounds which may be upsetting the patient. All types of music are thought to help, from listening to the radio and singing songs, listening to a specific playlist that the patient enjoys, or making music together. It is a way to create memories and to spend an enjoyable time together. If you are their carer and perhaps don’t know the patient that well, or a younger member of the family, try finding out to see what they enjoy.

If you are looking for professional music therapy, then look for a qualified music therapist who may run a class locally, or perhaps speak to the care home if they are living in and see if they have any links with a music therapist. You could find a qualified music therapist who carries out sessions on a one - to - one basis with a dementia patient. 

Much research is being undertaken into the impact of music on the brain in dementia patients and understanding how it stimulates the brain, in a way that other therapy has been shown to have a limited impact.

Other examples of music supporting dementia patients

Music for Dementia 2020

A national campaign has been launched this year to encourage prescribing of music to help alleviate symptoms associated with dementia. Music for Dementia 2020 is run by the Utley Foundation and brings the dementia care and music sector together. Music is well known to be one of the calming methods to be used in dementia care and the idea behind the campaign is to make music available to all dementia patients by 2020, in terms of their care pathway. This is obviously an important therapy that should be made available to patients of dementia, so if you are looking for ways in which to support someone who has been diagnosed with dementia, add music to your list.

Our Dementia Choir

You may have caught up on “Our Dementia Choir” with Vicky McClure, best known for playing the role of “Kate” in BBC1 drama Line of Duty. The programme demonstrates the amazing power of music through a choir, of 20 dementia patients with varying levels of dementia. The fact that lyrics sit within our minds, not often forgotten, that may have been learned long ago, dementia patients show how they are able to sing, take part, remember the words and have fun.

Summary

Whatever music therapy you choose, it should be fun to take part in and most importantly give respite to the dementia patient, keep them calm and provide a window of opportunity away from their symptoms and disease. If you are interested in finding out about other dementia care therapies that can help to keep the patient calm. Read our article here.