Dementia Care: The Power of Music

Plenty of research is going on right now to measure the benefits of using iPods (or other mp3 playing devices) with personalized playlists for people suffering from dementia or Alzheimers’ disease. 

Listening to preferred music though personal headphones has had a major, positive impact on everyone who uses them.  Many residents in the studies have come off their anxiety medications and have decreased combative and depressive behaviors. 

Not convinced? Go to musicandmemory.org and look around.  You’ll find research on the connection between music and the brain.  Then watch a video or two.  You’ll see for yourself how music transforms people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.   Be prepared to cry!

• Don’t have access to an iPod?  Ask family members to give their loved ones an iPod (or other mp3 player) as a gift or to donate an older model that is no longer being used. 
• An iPod Shuffle (or similar device) is a good choice since it has very few buttons, no display screen, and is easy to learn how to operate.
• Here’s another solution.  Most smart phones can store and play music through headphones too.  Or, you can download free apps like Pandora or Spotify and stream free music through the phone.
• Be sure to include the client and/or the family members in building the playlist.  The wrong choice of music can make the whole technique backfire.
• Larger, padded headphones that rest on the sides of the head and ears will be more comfortable than small ear buds that go inside the ears.