How Does Music Affect Alzheimer's Patients?
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
An irreversible brain disorder that slowly destroys a person's memory, executive functions, and eventually will cause a person to lose the ability to carry out everyday tasks.
How can Music Help?
Research shows that music has a drastic impact on the cognitive ability of AD. The part of the brain where a person's musical memories are stored is left generally untouched by the disease, leaving it relatively undamaged from the degenerative changes that occur to the rest of the brain.
Tips for caregivers or for loved ones
1. Think about the persons music preferences
What type of music will evoke happy memories from the past, choosing this type of music should provide better results.
2. Try and avoid overstimulation
When the music is playing be sure to be in a quiet environment without the tv or any background noise.
3. Encourage movement while listening to music
Try and help the person clap along and dance along to the music. If the person cannot get up and dance help them dance in their chair while they are sitting.
4. Singing along
By singing along with the person it can help enhance their overall mood, and it even could help them stimulate a specific memory.
5. Pay close attention to the person's response to the music
If you notice the person or loved one is enjoying a particular song remember what song and play it for them more often. And if you notice they don't like a song, take it out of the playlist.
Why Music?
There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease so it's our job to try and find non-pharmaceutical ways to improve the quality of life for these individuals. Music has been shown to significantly relieve stress, depression, anxiety, reduce agitation, and has even been linked to patients being able to recall events they have not been able to recall beforehand. This information can be used to help those suffering from this disease and also help the people who are caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease.
Other Resources
5 Reasons Why Music Boosts Brain Activity: https://www.alzheimers.net/why-music-boosts-brain-activity-in-dementia-patients/
Alzheimer’s: ‘Music may make symptoms more manageable’: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321677.php#1
Citations
Fang, R., Ye, S., Huangfu, J., & Calimag, D. P. (2017). Music therapy is a potential intervention for cognition of Alzheimer's Disease: a mini-review. Translational neurodegeneration
Guétin, S., Portet, F., Picot, M. C., Pommié, C., Messaoudi, M., Djabelkir, L., .. Touchon, J. (2009). Effect of music therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with Alzheimer's type dementia: Randomized, controlled study.Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
Emily Woodworth
Westfield State University
Movement Science
Sports Medicine
Westfield State University
Movement Science
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