The Power of Music and Memory

Dementia and Alzheimer’s in particular is a progressive disease. They start typically in the parts of the brain involved in memory and executive function. The disease eventually moves into the brainstem, which controls autonomous functions like heartbeat, breathing and swallowing.

At the very end of the disease - right before the disease moves into the brainstem - the memory of music starts to fade. Until those very late stages, music can serve as a bridge to help those other areas that are not doing so well.

Not just any music. As much as Taylor Swift appeals to a lot of women, your grandmother may not recognize her songs. Try to find music that the elderly person listened to when they were between the ages of about 15-30.

And that they liked. 

If you see them become uncomfortable or anxious when you put the music on, try something else. You want to see them relax. Maybe smile. 

There are even music therapists who can help you find the right kind of music for your loved one. You may even be able to have it covered by insurance if it is part of a mental health program.

Some studies have even suggested that playing music not only helps the person with Alzheimer’s. It also helps the caregiver interacting with them. Not only did it improve the agitation and anxiety of both the caregiver and the person with the disease. It also helped improve both verbal and non-verbal communication:

Once you have a playlist, you can use these songs when your relative is particularly anxious or is fighting you. 

• Use upbeat music earlier in the day when you want them to wake up, take a shower or get dressed. Also good for taking them for a walk or exercising

• More mellow music for bedtime or periods of anxiety such as if they are sundowning

• Encourage the person to move to the music or sing along. This will work out their body-brain connections and may help slow the disease progression over time

• Make sure there are not other noises going on such as a TV blaring in the background when they are listening to the music

As you experiment and find the right music for the right time of day, you can almost use the particular songs as a trigger. The music brings them back to their youth. To the days when they could do the tasks you want them to do independently.

Independence is what I’ve found people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia miss most of all. Music can give them at least a feeling of the days when they had it.