Music can profoundly benefit a person who is living with dementia. Unfortunately not every person who has dementia has access to their favorite music. Music helps bring comfort and stability to the chaos found within the brain. Because music is strongly connected to our emotions, it can help connect people to who they were and their memories and emotions.
It is important to note that not everyone reacts the same way to music, and it is helpful to play your loved one's favorite songs. If their favorite music is unknown, a good place to start is to find music that was popular when they were young.
The benefits of playing a person's favorite music are:
- Positive changes in moods and emotional states
- A sense of control over life
- Memory recall
- Non-pharmacological management of pain and discomfort
- Stimulation that promotes interest even when other approaches are ineffective
- Promotes rhythmic, continuous movement and vocal fluency
- Opportunities to interact socially with others
Source: The Alzheimer's Association
The library makes it easy to connect your loved one with the music they love!
Check out this list of Library materials related to music and dementia.
The list includes:
- Free music resources (online and CDs)
- Books
- DVDs
- Trusted Internet resources to learn more
Have questions? Ask a Librarian!
Add a comment to: Music and Dementia