The Power of Music
Music Therapy is an integral component of Inspirations and it is known to have a wide range of benefits for people with dementia! We have staff members that sing and play the piano for residents, our owners love to lead drum circles, and we hire special musical guests for entertainment! Here are some of the top benefits of music we’ve seen for our residents:
Anyone can Participate
Music therapy is a great group activity because anyone can participate at any level. While activities like painting, bowling, and trivia have their place in memory care, they all require a certain level of ability from residents. However, with music therapy, we may have some residents that are up and out of their seats and dancing, while others are passively tapping their foot, and some may just be sitting back and enjoying the music. All are valid and valuable ways that we’re helping residents. We love that any resident can participate in music!
Uplifts Moods
A recent study conducted at the University of Miami School of Medicine revealed that music therapy helped produce more of the brain’s “feel-good chemicals” including melatonin, serotonin, and prolactin in Alzheimer’s patients. This helps to relieve stress, reduce anxiety and depression, and reduce agitation in residents with dementia. These emotional benefits are invaluable because they help target the emotional lows experienced by people with dementia.[1]
Encourages Movement
One of the most encouraging aspects of playing music with residents is how much they love to dance, clap, tap, and sing along! Some residents that tend to be reserved will quickly light up at the use of music and will join in with joy. Some residents will even get up and dance! Of all the activities we lead, music tends to be the most interactive for our residents.
Helps Reminisce about Memories
Our owners do weekly drum circles at each location and their song choice includes a mix of new favorites and old hits. This mix is fun because some of our residents are able to sing along to some of the older songs and we’re able to cater our drum circles to include their favorite genres and artists! One of our residents is a big Neil Diamond fan, and sings along to all of his hits! Reminiscing with residents is immensely important in memory care. It allows for closer relationships between residents and staff and can improve a resident’s mood for the day.
Increases Communication
Dementia has a negative effect on our loved one’s ability to communicate and we’ve seen music be a great way to open up new avenues of communication and connection. While playing the piano, some residents will sing along to their favorite songs and talk to me about some of their favorite artists. Some studies have even shown that music can lead people with dementia to talk about other aspects of their life, besides what’s happening with the music.[2]
Because of all of its benefits, while looking for a community, you may want to ask if they use music therapy with their residents. We’ve been blown away by the positive effects it has had on our residents and it is certainly something that benefits everyone who participates!
[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/music-and-alzheimers/faq-20058173
[2] https://www.npr.org/2019/12/22/790553867/how-music-therapy-could-help-people-with-dementia
