Music Therapy and Dementia
The rate of Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias is on the rise in America. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are currently at least 5.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s Disease. This equates to 10% of the population age 65 and older. These progressive diseases systematically destroy the neurons in the brain and slowly rob people of their abilities to communicate, problem solve and care for themselves. They also greatly impact a person’s memory and other cognitive skills. These diseases require a large amount of outside care for the people they affect, and they are typically fatal.
Music has been found to be an incredibly powerful treatment for people suffering from Alzheimer’s. It does not reverse or slow the progression of the disease by any means, but it can drastically improve the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Music is one of the few things in this world that activates all areas of the brain. Because of this, it is possible for music to allow people to access undamaged areas of their brains that they may not be able to access on their own anymore and encourages the use of those thought pathways and connections. This sometimes brings back forgotten memories and can even bring people out of their shell.
Assisted living facilities and nursing homes that employ the use of music therapy for their residents have noted great improvements in their patients. People tend to be happier and more engaged in the world and their surroundings when exposed to music therapy. Caretakers have noticed that they are able to build stronger and more meaningful relationships with residents and that people end up having less need for psychoactive medications as the disease progresses.
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