The power of music in dementia care

Why is this so relevant and what are people doing?

Music plays a special role in all of our lives. It can bring up positive memories like your first kiss, wedding dance, the good times you’ve had with your friends and more. It also inspires remembrance of your past and highlights the many passages of your life. Your favourite songs and musical pieces have an increasingly important part to play in the later stages of life, particularly with the onset of dementia. In this article, we will explore the powerful effects music can have on your cognitive function and wellbeing. 

The link between music and dementia

One of the key benefits associated with music is that it can help reduce agitation, anxiety and depression. Our musical memory is hard wired into the brain and is known as a form of implicit memory. Scientific studies have shown that listening to music lights up the brain and reaches parts that other activities can’t. Furthermore, playing an instrument is one of the sensory activities that help with dementia prevention. A study in the US found that, learning to play a musical instrument in the later stages of life, retains and improves fine motor skills and cognitive function, and people who learned to play were a third less likely to develop dementia. 

Incorporating music into dementia care

A new programme, Music for Dementia 2020, was launched this year to emphasise the positive impact music has on people in dementia care. The campaign recommends creating playlists to help with looking after loved one. Something as simple as creating a compilation of their favourite songs online, on a piece of paper, or by going through their musical archive, can have positive effects on the person living with dementia. It’s also a way to bond with people close to you and relive cherished memories through music. You can enjoy these playlists at home, in a care facility, or even by attending a dementia disco. Support worker from Colville has launched music clubs aimed at people in dementia care and those with learning difficulties. These types of clubs are a great way for the elderly to socialise, feel like they are a part of the community and retain their autonomy even as dementia progresses. 

Dementia and music therapy

Incorporating music into looking after loved one can be a great way to improve their quality of life. Organisations that employ music therapists include Methodists Homes Association and Allied Health Professions. Music therapists have a postgraduate degree in a clinical qualification as well as a degree in music, so you can feel assured your loved one is in safe hands. Music therapy professionals may also work with care staff to introduce music into their patient’s lives. Today, music is available freely online to most people, so it can be easy to incorporate into your loved one’s routine. Try finding out their favourite songs and listen to them together. More engaging activities like singing can do wonders for their mental wellbeing and maintain their speech and language. If your loved one used to play an instrument, it may be useful to rekindle that activity, if they are up for it. Famous musicians who have suffered from dementia were able to play and perform late into their illness, showing just how well musical ability is wired into our brain.