Music and Dementia : use music to promote reminiscence
Studies show that dementia patients can benefit from music therapy. Not only can music help with memory loss, but it can also make patients feel happier and hopeful. Music can take the sufferer down memory lane, bringing back memories and uplifting the spirit. Playing upbeat music can increase the sufferer’s mood, while soothing music can calm them. It is also important to note that music therapy can help decrease the need for calming medication.
Research has shown that people with dementia respond differently to sound than those without it, and some have even been cured of dementia after learning about its benefits. Music therapy is not only used to improve mood and reduce agitation, but also to boost self-esteem. There are even a variety of music therapy apps for dementia sufferers. Music therapy can be an inexpensive way to improve your loved one’s quality of life. In addition to music therapists, other allied health professions may use music to enhance their care. Occupational therapists, for instance, may suggest that their care workers use music to promote reminiscence.
Although studies are lacking, the relationship between music and dementia is complex. Some studies have demonstrated that music therapy can reduce agitated behaviors and increase cooperation among caretakers. Moreover, the music chosen by the patient may have more therapeutic value than generic music. This study highlights the need for randomized controlled trials, but further studies are needed to confirm the results. So, despite the many benefits, music therapy is not a cure-all for dementia.
According to the authors of a recent Harvard article, music therapy can improve mood and increase engagement with the world in those with advanced dementia. In fact, music therapy can even increase a person’s cognitive ability despite the fact that they have dementia and uncorrected hearing disorders. The researchers also note that music therapy may improve the quality of life of people with dementia who don’t experience depression. But what’s even more, it can be beneficial for those with mild cognitive impairment.
While the evidence base on the benefits of music is incomplete, studies suggest that listening to music can improve agitation and improve memory. Additionally, music has the potential to reduce cortisol levels in the brain, which can contribute to feelings of stress. So, listening to music may not only benefit the sufferer but also the NHS. A caregiver can communicate better with their loved one through music by understanding the different tempos of different types of music.
Memory loss is a common side effect of becoming older, and it can make it challenging for those closest to us to recall significant moments in our lives. However, they may be able to better recollect their memories and find it easier to deal with the effects of their dementia if they listen to music. When we listen to music, some regions of our brains, including those that are connected with feelings, language, and thought, can be reactivated. The doors to our loved ones’ memory vaults are easier to unlock when they listen to music. When we listen to music, we provide our brains with a stimulus that assists them in regaining memory, language, and coordination..