Music

Music therapy has been used to treat people of all ages to overcome symptoms of depression, anxiety and loneliness for a number of years. However, after recent scientific research was conducted on its benefits, music therapy has seen a huge increase in popularity with older people, especially those suffering with dementia. 

Music has evolved over the decades to provide different genres and niches to cater for social development. However, it isn’t uncommon to find older people still listening to the music that takes them back to their childhood, bringing nostalgia and a sense of youth into the present day.

Music can have a positive impact on people’s mental abilities, too, improving:

• attention and concentration.
• cognition (thinking)
• memory
• speech and non-verbal communication skills

All of these processes can be impaired by dementia, making music extremely beneficial.

for people with the diagnosis

Older adults can benefit greatly from music and it’s something easy you can integrate at home and to engage with in your community.  You could:

• Join a music group.
• If you have a religious tradition, consider attending a religious service to sing spiritual hymns and songs.
• Play music at certain times of the day in the background to stimulate mood.

For someone with Alzheimer’s there are many ways to integrate music into your life

• Choose music that you enjoyed when you were younger.
• Encourage a loved one who previously played an instrument to try it again.
• Watch a recording of a concert.
• Sing along, dance and move to music together to boost energy.
• Put soft music on in the evening to facilitate a calming transition to bedtime.