The Importance of Music Therapy in Dementia Care
One of the biggest challenges faced by those living with dementia is memory loss and loss of cognitive functions. These can cause a myriad of feelings, with frustration, confusion and fear sparking aggressive behaviour. Dementia care seeks to combat these using a variety of techniques, activities and therapies to help slow the progression of the disease and allow your loved one to express themselves and their feelings in a safe environment. Music therapy has proven to be an incredibly useful technique for doing this.
Using recognisable beats and rhythms, the aim is to trigger emotions and memories, facilitating communication and expression. The benefits are ten-fold, which is why this therapy is gaining traction and popularity across the world with those living with dementia.
In this blog, we explain what music therapy is and why it has become such an important part of any dementia care plan.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is a technique that uses music, lyrics and rhythms to stimulate an individual, working to help them achieve a goal. It is predominantly used in dementia care but can be found in rehabilitation for strokes or brain injuries.
Sessions are led by a professional and can be a group or one-to-one activity.
Music therapy is more than simply listening to music as it engages the participants. Activities within music therapy will often include singing along, creating music, and moving to music.
As the sessions are geared toward helping an individual reach a goal, the activities will be adapted, making sure each individual taking part is exercising the relevant part of the brain or body to achieve their goal.
The Science Behind Music Therapy in Dementia
Research into music therapy and its impact on those living with dementia has been vast.
Music creates a unique reaction within our bodies, as it is one of the only things that can stimulate both sides of our brains. This means that it awakens the areas responsible for memory, emotions and cognitive function, each area affected by dementia. This is why this form of therapy can be so beneficial for those experiencing dementia symptoms.
Music can evoke strong emotions and deep memories, providing a form of communication that cannot be expressed with words, even in the most advanced stages of dementia, when a person is unable to recall the majority of their memories.
Benefits of Music Therapy for Dementia Patients
Over the years, music therapy has been shown to provide several benefits for those living with dementia, not just in their cognitive function but emotional and physical health.
- Emotional well-being: A person suffering from dementia may be able to feel a variety of emotions through music that they might not normally experience. It frequently provokes emotions like laughter and smiles or brings on a feeling of serenity and comfort. Music can help regulate emotions felt by those with dementia; for example, calming music might be used as the individual starts to express confusion or frustration to help calm them down.
- Cognitive stimulation: Known songs can bring back memories and encourage speech in people who have lost their ability to communicate regularly. The brain, like any other muscle, needs regular use and stimulation, which music can provide, slowing down the deterioration and progression of the disease.
- Physical health: Regularly rhythmic music can promote movement, which improves motor abilities and coordination.
- Social interaction: Group sessions promote socialisation and a feeling of community among participants, combatting loneliness and isolation. It can also create a shared experience, and for those who may struggle to communicate, it poses an opportunity for them to share their stories with others, helping build and strengthen relationships.
Implementing Music Therapy in Dementia Care
While it may seem simple, incorporating music therapy takes a bit of planning and consideration. In order to set and achieve goals through music therapy, you will need to work with a professional or trained expert.
However, regardless of a planned session with a trained professional, music can still have a profound impact on the lives of those with dementia. This is why activities involving music should still be planned. These can include:
- Playing simple instruments
- Singing along to familiar songs
- Listening to music that holds personal significance
- Dancing along to songs from their lives.
Families and carers can also include music in everyday activities as a means of connecting, invigorating, and calming.
Music Therapy and Caregiver Wellbeing
Often, music therapy and musical activities are just as enjoyable for the caregiver as they are for the person with dementia.
This is because these activities create a shared joyful experience, which allows the caregiver to relax and enjoy the moment with their loved ones.
Music can often help communication, so these activities can also be a time of open and easy communication, giving the carer an insight into the mind and emotions of their loved one.
Finally, as the music triggers emotions and memories, time spent listening to music or doing activities with it in the background, can mean the person with dementia is experiencing some respite from feeling lost and confused, which the caregiver can enjoy.
Including Music Therapy At Primrose Lodge Weymouth
As research into the many benefits of music therapy continues, it may become an increasingly important part of dementia care. It can bring joy, meaningful connections, and pleasant memories to those suffering from a progressive disease that can take so much from a person.
Additionally, it also has a positive effect on the relationships that exist between the carer, their loved one who has dementia, and their family and friends, which can make otherwise seem like an uphill battle a little happier.
We incorporate music therapy into our care plans and activities programme for dementia patients at Primrose Lodge Weymouth. To ensure that our residents get the most out of the sessions, we collaborate with professionals to create individualised programmes that are tailored to each resident.
The lifestyle at Primrose Lodge is filled with music, as we fill our dining room and facilities with music to mark special occasions and hold regular sing-a-longs and music sessions, so our residents never have to wait too long to enjoy some music in their ears.
Discover how we incorporate group and one-to-one music therapy sessions at Primrose Lodge Weymouth by visiting our care home. Call us on 01305 786568 or complete our online contact form to arrange a viewing. We would love to welcome you into our home and have you and your loved one participate in a music therapy session