Music Therapy in Dementia Care
So many people in this world suffer from dementia diagnoses that lead to a progressive loss of cognitive abilities. It can be truly heartbreaking to witness the slow decline that occurs due to a collection of diseases that cause dementia, with some of the most common including:
Alzheimer's
Vascular dementia,
Lewy Body dementia
Frontotemporal dementia
As a music therapy professional, I have witnessed the frustration clients experience when they can’t retrieve the words they want to say or have difficulty retrieving memories of important life experiences, in addition to the many ways these diseases cause a decline in every part of the physical body. In my practice I have also witnessed the tears of family members, who faithfully visit their loved ones, even when their loved one no longer recognizes them. These neurological diseases that cause dementia result in a slow progressive loss of cognitive and physical function as the brain loses the ability to make neurological connections. For good reason, many refer to this process as a “long goodbye”. Loved ones suffer the loss of the person they love long before physical death.
The progression of the various forms of dementia can be difficult to witness, so why do I love working with this population? I have found that some of my favorite times in my week are the times that I get to spend with my clients who are in memory care. I get to witness first hand the huge role that music plays for this population and their loved ones. Often when I arrive, I see residents who appear sleepy, and perhaps withdrawn or non-communicative. It isn’t unusual for one or two residents to be anxious or agitated and confused. When I start playing, I start to see residents opening their eyes, tapping their toes, maybe singing along with familiar lyrics. Sleepy faces become alert and the residents start to make connections with me through eye contact. . Residents who are anxious will often start shaking an instrument, or even singing familiar lyrics with me and soon become re-directed from whatever was causing them distress.
Sometimes from the outside looking in, a memory care music therapy group can look like a simple sing-a-long, or like we are simply providing entertainment. However, a well trained music therapist knows, and will capitalize on the fact, that utilizing client preferred music through a variety of interventions including singing, instrument play, song-writing, improvisation, music choice, reminiscence, and music and movement activates synapses in the brain. When this happens I see many benefits for my clients including:
Access memories
Reduced anxiety
Increased feelings of well-being
Orientation to time and space
Reduced troublesome behaviors
When loved ones are present during sessions, it isn’t unusual that they have the opportunity to witness their family members share memories, sing familiar songs, and participate in something that brings joy. Additionally, the music helps them to connect with their loved one through enjoyment of music and shared memories that are flushed to the surface while music-making. With the neurological stimulation that the music provides, I have had many clients experience periods of improved clarity and cognitive function directly related to our music therapy session. One of my favorite memories is of a married couple who got up and started dancing together for several songs during a session. I kept that music going as long as I could. It was such a touching and beautiful thing to see!
The progression of dementia is an incredibly difficult journey for everyone involved, but when I get to witness the pure joy on the faces of my clients when they are singing a favorite song, dancing and moving to the music, or sharing memories that flush to the surface, it makes my job as a music therapist incredibly rewarding.
Here are some links showing what research says about music therapy and dementia:
American Music Therapy Association Fact Sheet on Music Therapy and Dementia Care https://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/FactSheet_Music_Therapy_and_Dementia_Care_2021.pdf
Reminiscence-Focused Music Therapy to Promote Positive Mood and Engagement and Shared Interaction for People Living With Dementia by Lisa Kelly and Bill Ahess https://voices.no/index.php/voices/article/view/3139
Reaching the Socially Isolated Person with Alzheimer's Disease Through Group Music Therapy - A Case Report by Vicky Abad- https://voices.no/index.php/voices/article/view/1586/1345