Music has the amazing capacity to alter for the better the way we are feeling at any given time. Familiar tunes can bring cheer, evoke memories, and provide comfort – all of which can contribute to a positive sense of wellbeing.
For older people living with dementia, the benefits that music brings can be profound. Neurologist, Oliver Sacks explains…
“Music imprints itself on the brain deeper than any other human experience. Music evokes emotion and emotion can bring with it memory.”
Recent research has found that music in its various forms can improve both a person’s physical health and mental wellbeing, and for older adults it can play an important role in helping tackle a range of age-related problems such as depression, isolation, stress, chronic pain and even memory impairment.
Musical aptitude and appreciation remain far longer than most other abilities so even into the most advanced stages of dementia, music can still provide a way of reaching beyond the disease to the person.
Benefits music can bring to people living with dementia
Reducing stress and anxiety
Listening to your favourite music can have a very calming effect. By slowing the heart rate and reducing levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, music can help people relax, reducing agitation and anxiety and aiding good sleep.
Improve speech and cognitive skills
For people living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, spoken language can become increasingly difficult as their symptoms develop, making it a challenge to communicate their needs. The areas of the brain associated with music however remain responsive for longer than those responsible for speech, so even after people can no longer express themselves verbally, singing and responding to music provides an excellent channel of communication.
Increase social activity
Music provides an opportunity for bringing people together. This could be on a simple one to one basis listening and singing along to a person’s favourite songs, or it could take the form of a group activity involving a few, or indeed many, people.
Musical activity will encourage people to communicate both verbally and through body language and gesture, and can play an important role in alleviating feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Inspire movement
Playing music can motivate people to get moving, and as we all know, exercise is good for you! So whether it’s getting on your feet and dancing along to the music, doing a spot of chair dancing, clapping along, or even simply tapping your toes, moving to the music is an enjoyable way to encourage some gentle exercise.
Tackle boredom and improve mood
Music provides a great range of activities that can easily be tailored to the needs, and individual preferences, of each participant.
Listening and singing along to well known songs can evoke verbal and emotional memories while learning new songs can help stretch existing skills. Both can help stimulate and engage, providing an important boost to confidence and self-esteem.
Ways to incorporate music into dementia care
Whether its listening to live or recorded music, singing along to your favourite tunes, participating in live music making, creating a personal playlist of favourite musical tracks, or undertaking music therapy with a trained therapist, there are sound reasons to incorporate music into your daytime routine.
A useful source of advice is the Music for Dementia website which has the clear mission of making music available to everyone living with dementia.
The website is a central hub of information, containing evidence based research on why music is so beneficial, and practical information on how people can engage in musical activity of one sort or another to suit them.
To find out more about the possibilities, click here to visit musicfordementia.org.uk
