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Music, one of the most influential forms of art, is inextricably woven into the very fabric of human society and individuality. All of us have experienced music in one form or another, be it through listening to recordings, learning an instrument, going to a live performance, or even just dancing. It’s an unforgettable feeling that can mean anything to anyone at any time.
Is there any evidence that playing music for, say, a person with dementia improves their condition? So, if this is the case, what are the advantages, and how do they function?
A great deal of research has been done into the possible links between music and dementia over the past quarter century.
Advantages of Music Therapy
Songs for dementia will benefit the patients socially and emotionally from musical activities like listening, singing, dancing, and playing instruments. A person with dementia can benefit from listening to music because it can evoke memories, feelings, and emotions that they may have trouble articulating otherwise. What’s more, social interaction, reduced isolation, and increased participation in group activities are all aided by physical activity, such as dancing or other forms of physical movement.
Music therapy can:
- Assist patients in verbally and nonverbally expressing their thoughts and feelings
- Encourage them to “tell their story” and discuss their background
- Alleviate stress; this could come in handy when providing care such as bathing or dressing. For instance, they may have an easier time remembering specific details when listening to meaningful music, such as a childhood favorite or a lullaby they used to sing to their children.
Its Effects on Behavior and Cognition
The effects of music therapy on dementia patients’ moods, behaviors, and cognitive capacities have been the subject of a significant amount of research. It has been demonstrated that music therapy, both in the short term and in the long term (over the course of three months), can be quite beneficial in reducing the symptoms of mood disorders like anxiety and depression. It has been demonstrated that individual music therapy helps alleviate some of the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and these improvements can remain for as long as eight weeks.
89 people with dementia participated in a study in which standard care was compared to weekly singing or music listening sessions for a period of ten weeks. The results showed that the music sessions improved general cognition (as measured by MMSE score), attention, and executive function. Singing proved to boost participants’ ability to recall names of children and friends, as well as immediate brief stories, which suggests that this activity elicited intimate and distant memories.
How to Pick Music for Dementia Patients?
There are songs about Alzheimer’s but it’s best to make a personalized playlist. You might have to dig into older music while looking for songs for seniors with dementia. Consider the following when making a music playlist for someone who has dementia:
- Don’t forget to take into account the preferences of the person you care about. Who they are, what they grew up listening to, and what kinds of music do they prefer to listen to? When he or she is in the mood to reminisce about a fun time, what songs do they play on repeat? Get everybody involved in the fun by asking them to share their favorite songs or by having them create playlists.
- Encourage some light-hearted physical activity. Push the person you care about to move their feet or clap along with the music by giving them a helping hand. If you are able to, you should do something small like tap your feet, click your fingers, or gently nod your head as you request them to reciprocate.
- Sing along songs for seniors with dementia! When you and your loved one sing along to favorite songs, not only do you each feel better, but you also improve the connection you share. Some preliminary study reveals that musical memory acts differently than other types of memory and that singing can assist in generating specific memories. Another finding of this research implies that singing can help people recall memorable events. So if they break out into a story, it’s a good sign. Encourage them to open up and lend an ear.
- It is necessary to prepare the stage. While your loved one is eating or going through their morning hygiene ritual, you can help put them at ease by singing or playing music that is calming and peaceful. If you wish to improve the disposition of a loved one, play music that is more lively or has a faster tempo.
- Try not to overdo it and overwhelm them. If there is background noise, playing music will help drown it out. A TV that is not currently being watched should have its power turned off. Could you please lock the door? Make the necessary adjustments to the volume so that it is comfortable for your loved one who has hearing loss. You should look for music that does not contain any commercial interruptions because these can be very distracting.
- Watch how your loved ones react to what you say. If you find music for dementia patients they find enjoyable, play them often for as long as possible. If they have upsetting memories of a specific song or type of music, avoid playing it for them.
A Playlist to Begin with
You can use YouTube, Spotify, Apple Play, or your preferred medium to create a playlist for them. You will find songs about memory loss, songs about taking care of someone, and songs about caring for someone, too, if that’s what they prefer.
Once they’re feeling better, you can introduce them to new music but until then, a playlist with oldies will do wonders. Check to see if these songs for dementia might help to get you started.
- “Stop! In the Name of Love” by The Supremes
- “America the Beautiful” performed by Ray Charles
- “New York, New York” performed by Frank Sinatra
- “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” by Burt Bacharach
- “Hound Dog”, by Elvis Presley
- What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
- “Singing in the Rain” performed by Gene Kelly
- “Theme From New York, New York”, by Frank Sinatra
- “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin
- “Walkin’ After Midnight” by Patsy Cline
Songs for Seniors with Dementia on YouTube
“Stop! In the Name of Love” by The Supremes
“America the Beautiful” performed by Ray Charles
“New York, New York” performed by Frank Sinatra
“Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” by Burt Bacharach
“Hound Dog”, by Elvis Presley
What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
“Singing in the Rain” performed by Gene Kelly
“Theme From New York, New York”, by Frank Sinatra
“Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin
“Walkin’ After Midnight” by Patsy Cline
Let Us Help
Dementia is a difficult ailment to deal with for the patient, the caregiver, and the loved ones too. Reach out to us at All American Hospice before you get overwhelmed. We’re experts, ready to help.
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