11 Types of Music that Soothe Dementia

Why is it that I can remember the lyrics of every awful ’70s pop tune I catch the merest snatch of while turning a radio dial, but not the name of the street two miles away? The answer is good news; that is, if you spend time with someone who has Alzheimer’s, dementia, or Parkinson’s Disease.

Music lodges uniquely deep in the recesses of the brain–and therefore can still be tapped long after other abilities have failed. Musical memories are a complicated code of primal emotions, cognition, movement, and language. It both calms and provides sensory and social stimulation. But there’s an even better reason to bring singing, listening, playing, and dancing into the life of someone with a dementing illness: To provide them with the deep pleasure and reassurance brought by enjoying moments of wholeness and clarity.

For a person with a neurological impairment, music can “stimulate a sense of identity as nothing else can,” says neurologist Oliver Sacks, who writes about the evocative powers of music in last year’s bestseller, Musicophilia, and in the November issue of O magazine.

Long-term care facilities know this and use “music therapy.” But it struck me that home caregivers or family members might not realize this remarkably effective tool that’s right under their noses–or rather, ears.

Some ideas to try:

11 Types of Music that Soothe Dementia originally appeared on Caring.com.

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by Paula Spencer, Caring.com senior editor

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

r l.

11:08AM PDT on May 22, 2012

music therapy is awesome ~ thanks for sharing this article :-)

send a green star

Carol B.

7:11AM PDT on Apr 12, 2012

Absolutely true! I have been part of a program that actually had 20 or more Alzheimer's patients from moderate to grave dementia singing and moving (dancing) when the Oldies but Goodies were begun. REAL "oldies" were the best-- things as far back as Vaudeville, you'd be surprised how many of the "old" songs were re-introduced in the 40's or 50's, with new singers.

KS G.

2:31AM PDT on Mar 24, 2012

Thanks for the article.

Elisabeth T.

11:27AM PDT on Mar 22, 2012

"Music is the universal language of mankind"....

New G.

8:11PM PST on Dec 31, 2011

Thank you for the suggestions.

Rika S.

10:47AM PST on Dec 25, 2011

very interesting article, I'd never realized about it!

Eternal G.

5:32PM PST on Dec 21, 2011

Thanks, read it with interest.

lesley t.

3:45AM PST on Dec 20, 2011

This is entirely true. I know from experience with my own Mother, God rest her Soul, that hearing her favorite music did wonders for her mood and memory. She would even dance at 89 years old recallking the gay days of her youth.........I miss her so. But try it if you have a person in your family who has problems with dementia - I guarantee improvement for much of the day.

Valli S.

7:24AM PST on Dec 19, 2011

Thanks for sharing this wonderful info.

Cristine S.

3:34PM PST on Dec 15, 2011

Music makes the world go around, it connects peoples...creates love, joy and hope...and will make you want to dance in this merry go round of life...Mom died of Altzehimers..it was sad..but music made her smile.