Nutrition and Healing
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I’ve seen firsthand how devastating dementia can be—for both patients and their loved ones. The decline in memory, mood swings, confusion—it’s a heart-wrenching experience.

But there’s a simple, powerful tool that’s showing incredible promise for people living with dementia: music.

We’ve all felt the emotional pull of a favorite song, right? It can bring back memories, make us smile, or even bring a tear to our eye.

But for someone with dementia, music can do so much more…

How Music Helps Dementia Patients

Research from the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research has shown that music therapy—whether through playing, singing, or simply listening—has profound effects on dementia patients.

When familiar, favorite songs are played, their heart rates change, their movements respond to the rhythm, and memories long buried can resurface.

This isn’t just about hearing a song they like. The power of music lies in how it connects to multiple areas of the brain—emotions, memory, movement—all at once.

And here’s the truly amazing part: parts of the brain that are tied to musical memories are less affected by dementia than other areas. This means that for many dementia patients, music may provide one of the few remaining ways to connect with their past.

What Does This Mean for People with Dementia?

Imagine watching someone you love—someone who barely remembers the day’s events—suddenly light up when a favorite tune from their past plays.

They start to smile, maybe hum along, or tell a story from decades ago. This isn’t just anecdotal.

Studies show that listening to favorite music helps patients manage agitation, anxiety, and confusion, particularly during the difficult “sundowning” hours, when dementia symptoms often worsen.

Beyond Mood: Music Can Improve Cognitive Function

What’s even more fascinating is that music therapy isn’t just about mood—it can actually help with cognitive function too. One small study found that adults with dementia who participated in music therapy had better executive function (like problem-solving and emotional regulation) than those who engaged in physical exercise alone.

Regular music sessions have even been shown to reduce the need for medication, improving overall quality of life for patients and their caregivers.

It’s not just any music that works this magic—it has to be personalized. The songs that resonate most with the individual are the ones that create the strongest emotional and physical responses.

Whether it’s a tune from their childhood, a song that played at their wedding, or a track they loved to dance to in their prime, these songs hold the key to unlocking cherished memories and improving well-being.

What Does This Mean for Caregivers?

For caregivers, music can be a lifesaver. It can make those tough moments more manageable by reducing a loved one’s stress or helping them through confusing and disorienting periods.

Music won’t replace other essential dementia care tools, but it can provide a safe, simple, and incredibly effective way to support emotional and mental well-being.

In the end, music therapy isn’t just a treatment—it’s a way to help dementia patients hold on to what matters most: their memories and their connection to those around them.

P.S. Unexpected remedy even helps “beat” depression. Click here to learn how music therapy can help with mental health.

Sources:

Atkinson, R., & Hsu, M. (2024, October 16). Music has a profound effect on people with dementia. The Conversation. https://www.theconversation.com

 

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