Music and Dementia: Can It Really Help?

Music is something that unites us all – a familiar tune, a childhood melody, or a favourite song from years gone by can stir up powerful emotions. But when it comes to dementia, can music do more than just evoke memories? Research, real-world experiences, and growing support within the UK care sector suggest it can – yet there are still some common misconceptions to be addressed.

How Music Helps People Living with Dementia

Studies have shown that music can have a profound effect on people living with dementia. While dementia affects memory, communication, and cognitive function, the part of the brain that processes music often remains relatively unaffected until the later stages of the disease. This means that individuals who may struggle with speech or memory can still respond to music in deeply meaningful ways.

Some key benefits of music in dementia care include:

• Emotional connection: Music can reduce anxiety, depression and agitation. It often provides comfort and reassurance.

• Improved communication: Even those who have lost much of their verbal ability may still sing along to familiar songs.

• Memory recall: Music can trigger autobiographical memories, helping people reconnect with their sense of self and identity.

• Enhanced mood and engagement: Structured music sessions or simply listening to favourite tunes can improve wellbeing and encourage interaction.

• 
  

Organisations such as Playlist for Life and the Alzheimer’s Society’s Singing for the Brain initiative offer UK-wide programmes that support music as part of person-centred dementia care.

Common Misconceptions About Music and Dementia

Despite the evidence, there are still some myths and misunderstandings around the use of music for dementia care:

❌ “Music is just background noise – it doesn’t really help.”

✔️ Music isn’t just a passive activity. When used thoughtfully, it can be a powerful tool for engagement, connection and therapy.

❌ “Any music will work.”

✔️ Personalisation is key. The most effective results come from music that is familiar and meaningful to the individual – often songs from their teens or early twenties.

❌ “Music can replace medication or professional care.”

✔️ While music can support emotional wellbeing and reduce the need for some medications (such as those used to manage agitation), it is not a substitute for medical care or professional support.

❌ “People with advanced dementia can’t benefit from music.”

✔️ Many people in the later stages of dementia still respond positively to music – through facial expressions, movement, or simply calming presence.

Integrating Music into Daily Dementia Care

In the UK, many care homes and home care providers are beginning to integrate music into routine care plans. Here are a few ways families and carers can introduce music into daily life:

• Create a personal playlist: Include songs with emotional significance. Use tools like Spotify or CDs, depending on the person’s preference and comfort.

• Schedule music sessions: Whether it’s a quiet moment in the morning or a sing-along in the afternoon, regularity can be reassuring.

• Encourage movement: Gentle dancing, clapping or toe-tapping can help maintain physical activity and coordination.

• Use music to ease transitions: Familiar songs can help soothe difficult moments, such as bath time or bedtime.

Final Thoughts

While music isn’t a cure for dementia, it is a simple, accessible, and profoundly effective way to improve quality of life. For those living with dementia, as well as their families and carers, music can provide joy, connection, and a reminder of who they are – even as other parts of their world begin to change.

In the words of the great neurologist Dr Oliver Sacks: “Music evokes emotion, and emotion can bring with it memory... it brings back the feeling of life when nothing else can.”