Music can play such a positive role for those with dementia. When someone with dementia can no longer find the right words or no longer speaks, they may hear a certain song and suddenly, they light up, they start to sing and you realize they are sining every single word! The Mayo Clinic has noted that "Musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease."
The right song at the right time can spark something in persons with dementia and create a sense of joy and community. Music can reduce agitation and improve behavioral issues that are common in the middle-stages of the disease. Other benefits include reduced stress, lower levels of depression and better sleep.
I have experienced this remarkable change in behavior and mood with clients through the power of music. One resident no longer spoke and was depressed. I was playing music for the entire group and a certain song came on ("Living on a Prayer") all of a sudden the smile appeared, she got up and started to dance and then out of no where, all the words were being sung. What a party we had that day. When she looked depressed, we played music that she loved and we would sing and dance together. Another gentleman much older, was bedridden, reverted to his native language of Italian and just lay in his bed crying. I went to visit and streamed italian music on my phone. He held my hand and sang to me.
I recommend getting to know the person you are working with, find out from family and friends the type of music they like and using that music to help them calm down or cheer them up. After all, Music makes the world go round.
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