August, 2025 The Magic of Music

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Healthy Mind, Healthy Life

The Magic of Music for Brain Health, and the

Person Living with Dementia

Music is an art form that combines organized sounds, often through rhythm, melody, and harmony, to evoke emotion and create beauty.

Music therapy offers several benefits for individuals with dementia:

Music transcends gender, culture and nationality. It is a language that allows the listener to perceive and explore emotional responses in a safe environment. Think of that wonderful movie score that still touches your heart because it told a story so well. Or try to recall a specific piece of music that may have supported you through a difficult time. Music has the ability to anchor us in the here and now, or to transport us to distant places. Our Amygdala is our super-power center in the middle of our brain that regulates our emotions and stress response. It makes sense that this is the area that responds to music. Even if our person is in advanced stages of their dementia journey, they are still able to appreciate and respond to music. Most experts agree that music has the following benefits:

• Improved Mood: Music therapy can enhance emotional well-being
• and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Enhanced Cognitive Function: It stimulates memory and cognitive abilities, helping to maintain mental functions.
• Better Communication: Music therapy aids in improving language skills and communication abilities.
• Social Engagement: It encourages social interaction and bonding among individuals, reducing feelings of isolation.
• Stress Reduction: for both the Care Partner and the person living with dementia, improving their relationship.
• Pain Management: Music therapy can also help in managing pain and improving overall quality of life for dementia patients.

An article in the English Journal of Neurorehabilitation (2017) documents that in a longitudinal study of implementing music programs in 3 long-term living facilities, it significantly reduced falls, challenging behaviors and the use of anti-psychotics. In this 1-year study all staff were trained in the use of music therapy, and the schedule reflected a consistent and intentional use of music throughout the day. It is important to find the right kind of music for your person: Since our amygdala is the primitive center of our brain it can still be activated through music that connects with us. This is GOOD NEWS! It may take a little extra effort to explore different genres of music with our loved ones. Once we find what stirs their hearts, it can become a wonderful avenue for movement, connection and joy!

Try these tips:

• Look at your person’s birth year and add 15-20 years.
• Google famous musicians and genres within this time span or ask ALEXA.
• Take into consideration their culture, and area of origin and start testing some music with them.
• You can use YouTube, Pandora APP or Spotify or tuning to different radio stations may do.
• Watch for facial expressions, body language, and ask for verbal feedback until you find the music that unlocks their heart.
• Use this music during exercise routines, for dancing, during art, while cleaning the house and for sing-alongs

How to engage your loved one with Music while on their Journey:

Encourage person on the Lily Journey to stay involved with playing musical instruments, dancing or singing. Encourage them to develop a schedule that includes music daily. If we establish and maintain musical involvement this person will be able to carry this with them on their journey.

Assist your person on the Daisy Journey to set a day-to-day schedule that includes opportunities for playing music, dancing to music, listening to music while performing a task, or singing along with music. Person may need some supervision and assistance to get in a good routine.

The person on the Violet Journey needs their care partner to establish a day-to-day routine that includes their favorite music. Keep in mind that movement/exercise to music will improve balance and physical ability. The care partner may have to demonstrate movements so the person can follow along

The person on the Rose Journey needs their care partner to establish a day-to-day routine as well as provide touch-cues and tactile guidance to help them initiate simple movement patterns. In addition, care partners can add appropriate mood music to meal times, bath times and to get ready for bed for example

The person on the Bouquet Journey is at an advanced stage of dementia and the focus now is quality of life. Use mood music throughout the day to help wake them in the morning, accompany meals or help them settle for bed. It can also be used as part of rhythmic sensory awareness, for example hand-over-hand clapping. It may be a great tool to establish relational awareness and joyful experiences.