Music and Dementia
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There are many benefits to music for people living with a diagnosis of a dementia: it can evoke memories, improve mood, reduce agitation, but to name a few. With music playing such an important tool for many in their dementia journey, DSDC is delighted to be able to offer a new Music and Dementia training course, created and delivered by our Student Intern, Christina, who has a wealth of experience in using music as a tool in dementia care.
Hello everyone!
I am excited to provide an update on the Music and Dementia training course, and I am thrilled to announce that the course officially launches on the 6th of June!
Since my last update, we have been working hard to develop an engaging and interactive learning experience, and I cannot wait for you to be part of it. As we continue to fine-tune the details of the course, I wanted to take a moment to highlight the power of music in dementia care and share a few exciting insights.
As Oliver Sacks explains in his book Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain:
“Familiar music acts as a sort of Proustian mnemonic, eliciting emotions and associations that had been long forgotten, giving patient access once again to moods and memories, thoughts and worlds that had seemingly been completely lost. Faces assume expression as the old music is recognized and its emotional power felt. One or two people, perhaps, start to sing along, others join them, and soon the entire group – many of them virtually speechless before – is singing together, as much as they are able.”
The Benefits of Music in Dementia Care:
Memory and reminiscence: Familiar music can evoke memories and emotional connections allowing individuals to access parts of their past that might otherwise feel lost (Rao et al., 2021).
Mood and wellbeing: Music can improve mood, reduce agitation, and create a positive experience, providing comfort and support for both the individual and their caregivers (Millán-Calenti et al., 2016).
Social connection: Whether it’s through singing along or simply listening together, music fosters a sense of community and shared experience, which is especially valuable in dementia care (Camic et al., 2013).
Physical benefits: Music-making activities, such as playing instruments or dancing, can also support motor skills and movement, contributing to better physical health (Brancatisano et al., 2019).
Why Music Matters:
Music is universal – it’s part of every culture, and its ability to engage us emotionally is unparalleled (MacDonald et al., 2012). For individuals with dementia, music provides a way to express themselves when words fail and creates opportunities for shared joy and connection.
As we continue to explore the many ways in which music can be incorporated into dementia care, it’s important to remember that each individual’s response to music will be unique. We will dive deeper into this during the course.
I look forward to welcoming everyone to the Music and Dementia training course starting on the 6th of June, and I cannot wait to share more updates with you all soon.
Further Reading
For those interested in learning more, these articles offer valuable insights into the role of music in dementia care:
Brancatisano, O., Baird, A., & Thompson, W. F. (2019). A ‘Music, Mind and Movement’ program for people with dementia: Initial evidence of improved cognition. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, Article 1435. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01435
Camic, P. M., Myferi Williams, C., & Meeten, F. (2013). Does a ‘singing together group’ improve the quality of life of people with dementia and their carers? A pilot evaluation study. Dementia, 12(2), 157–176. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301211422761
MacDonald, R. A. R., Kreutz, G., & Mitchell, L. (Eds.). (2012). Music, health, and wellbeing. Oxford University Press. https://academic.oup.com/book/11562
Millán-Calenti, J. C., Lorenzo-López, L., Alonso-Búa, B., de Labra, C., González-Abraldes, I., & Maseda, A. (2016). Optimal nonpharmacological management of agitation in Alzheimer’s disease: Challenges and solutions. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 11, 175–184. https://www.dovepress.com/optimal-nonpharmacological-management-of-agitation-in-alzheimerrsquos--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CIA
Rao, C. B., Peatfield, J. C., McAdam, K. P., Nunn, A. J., & Georgieva, D. P. (2011). A focus on the reminiscence bump to personalize music playlists for dementia. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 14, 2195–2204. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S312725
Sacks, O. (2018). Music and identity: Dementia and music therapy. In Musicophilia: Tales of music and the brain (Revised and expanded, p. 385). Picador Classic.
