Including Music in Life with dementia
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Use these suggestions for engaging in music activities with someone who has dementia. Everyone living with dementia is unique, so when reviewing these tips, consider the person’s abilities, the impact dementia is having on them and their symptoms.
Music is relaxing. It can encourage fond memories and feelings of calmness and security. It can be a useful distraction from stress and help settle someone who is living with dementia. It may help to improve a person’s mood and connect him/her to their sense of Self.
Here are some ways to enjoy music with your friend or relative.
1. Relax and listen together
Often the most effective music to relax someone is music that is familiar to them.
Listening to music together can become a way of communicating. It sometimes helps generate specific memories attached to that music. Set up a quiet, calm area, reduce distractions.
It can provide an opportunity to introduce gentle movement, clapping hands, tapping feet or
provide a relaxing time for aromatherapy, massaging of hands, shoulders or feet. Create a daily ritual.
Together you could enjoy many kinds of relaxing and familiar music, including:
• YouTube videos of their favorite artist/genre
• classical music compilations
• radio, CDs or MP3 players
• music streaming services
2. Focus on the familiar and find the right music
People often relate best to music they heard as a child or as a young adult, often prompting them to remember things from the past. Try to find your friend’s favourite song from years ago: perhaps from a particular artist or band, a religious song, tune, nursery rhyme or a
song associated with significant people or a particular time in their life.
Try to use and play the genre of music that appeals to their history, spiritual and cultural background.
3. Sing together
Try singing along to a familiar song or sing without recorded music. Choose favorite songs to sing together. You might sing while you are helping with everyday tasks such as doing the dishes or having a shower...or while taking an afternoon drive.
4. Move or dance together
Try moving to music together. Position yourself in front of them, hold hands and sway from side to side. Dancing together is good, especially if your friend or relative used to enjoy dancing. You don’t have to be an expert. Just have fun moving together.
Sit opposite of your loved one on a sturdy chair..sing out loud and move to the beat.....tap your feet, march in place, move your arms...use colorful scarves...pass a beach ball....clap hands.....Laugh!
5. Invite friends to take part
nvite friends who sing or play musical instruments to visit and perform live. You might also have children in the family who enjoy performing music or singing.
You can clap or tap your feet, improvise with household items or simple
musical instruments that anyone can use to get involved.
Ask a friend or family member if they can create a collection of music that the person may enjoy.
6. Attend concerts or music groups
Try attending concerts, if there is a familiar singer, band or music group your friend might enjoy. Contact your local community centre or music and choir groups to see what’s on.
General tips
•Creating a routine of familiar activities provides reassurance when someone’s world is confusing.
•Offer the choice of a couple of songs or the option to dance: having a choice can be empowering for someone living with dementia.
•We all have some days that are better than others; be aware of the person’s mood.
•Understand that someone can be overstimulated, so look for signs of irritation or agitation. Some people living with dementia struggle with noise if it is too loud
•Be alert to responses to the music, because it can bring up deep emotions for you both:
including tears and memories
Hold their hand, look at them face to face...remember your own facial communication, mirror their emotions, relax and
.ENJOY THE MOMENTS
Excerpts from Dementia Australia
It is important to remember everyone living with dementia is unique. This information is general in nature and I recommend you seek professional advice in relation to any specific concerns or issues you may have.
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