Music For Dementia Therapy
A recent small study indicates that exposing people with dementia to music that they have enjoyed in their past can help ease such behavioral and psychological symptoms
The caretakers, family, and friends of seniors experiencing cognitive decline are likely to want to do everything they can to raise the spirits of those with declining memory and thinking skills. A recent small study indicates that exposing people with dementia to music that they have enjoyed in their past can help ease such behavioral and psychological symptoms as agitation, apathy, sleep disturbances, and constant movement. According to researchers, when people with dementia listened to personalized music at adult daycare centers, they exhibited significantly more joy, eye contact, eye movement, and engagement in conversation. With this in mind, it may be a good idea to create a playlist that can be played on seniors’ portable media players, computers, etc.
P.S. Whether they have dementia or not, playing seniors’ favorite music can evoke memories and conversation.
Source: Focus on Healthy Aging MAR19 (w.c.123)(GERON0219D)
Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 20NOV18
