Music can often seem to have magical properties. Our favorite song can lift our spirits. A few notes can take us back to a special memory. But while music has long been like medicine to our souls, there is increasing evidence that it can help treat our bodies – in particular, people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. For those struggling with many types of mental issues, music can turn back the clock and help them regain some of their former selves.
Music has long been used as a tool to ease the burdens of dementia, and many studies have shown its effectiveness in decreasing agitation, reducing depression, improving motors skills and increasing mental acuity. However, new research is shining even more light on the tremendous usefulness of music as a non-pharmaceutical treatment option, even when applied only for short periods of time. MJHS recently completed a clinical study in nursing homes that showed improvement in residents with dementia after just two weeks of music therapy.
Because there are only 6,500 board certified music therapists in the United States it can be difficult to find a trained expert, even in nursing homes. But luckily, caregivers can use several simple techniques to harness the power of music to help care for loved ones –whether at a nursing facility or at home – in addition to easing their own efforts in providing care. MJHS has shared many of these methods in a guide book that has been used at 600 different facilities in the United States (and recently is being tested by several internationally based music therapists). Below we offer just some of the easy ways that caregivers can use these techniques in their day-to-day lives with people with dementia.
Make a playlist
When working with people with dementia, you don’t just want to play the radio or your own favorite album; it’s important to pick songs that have special meaning to the person in order to be effective. You want to select types of music that are familiar, soothing, even-paced and have a personal or spiritual connection. For example, I treat many residents who grew up in New York City in the 40s and 50s, and the most popular musician is by far Frank Sinatra. Customize a playlist that will speak to the person and play it with them at intervals throughout the day in order to stimulate activity or to calm their mood.
Let them join in
Music-assisted caregiving is not just about listening – it’s about connecting with the music with both mind and body. Encourage singing and/or dancing along as the music is played. If a person used to be a musician, encourage them to pick up their instrument and start playing again. In cases when that is not possible – either because they can no longer play or never learned – simple instruments like tambourines are great to allow patients to get involved. If you are taking care of more than one person with dementia, get them together for a singing party. It’s amazing how the power of music can increase socialization among those—especially the elderly—who may otherwise have trouble connecting with others.
Help at Nighttime
Often times, people with dementia experience saddened emotions or irritable and agitated behaviors in the evening hours. Music often aides in increasing pleasure that may improve mood and lead to a more restful sleep. Songs that emulate lullabies like Gershwin’s Summertime make it easier to care for patients as they may request less medication for pain and experience longer sleeping patterns. Invite family and friends over for an evening of music listening on Pandora; watch a concert on YouTube or host a Karaoke night. Adding music into evening routines may create new moments that people with dementia and their caregivers can cherish by easing transitions and improving quality of life.
During difficult times like bathing or changing wound dressings
Much like bedtime, music has been shown to be especially helpful with bathing – an activity that requires assistance for an estimated 90% of nursing home residents – and other difficult activities like changing bandages. Many people with dementia resist going into the shower room: it might be cold or unfamiliar and trigger agitation. Using songs, such as What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, that stimulate conversation or memories can result in calming discomfort and creating less resistance during shower time.
If—or when—you know a person with dementia, I strongly encourage you to use music in the ways above and continue looking into music therapy as an option. It will enrich the life of the person you are caring for and, in my experiences, enrich your own life as well.
Kendra Ray is a licensed music therapist at MJHS a nonprofit health system in New York, as well as a PhD candidate at Drexel University. She is based at Menorah Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care in Brooklyn, NY.