NASP Ambassador Lead Dr Radha Modgil discusses the power of music to support health and wellbeing – especially for people living with dementia and their carers. For more information and advice on getting started, go to Music Can.
Music is an incredible thing. We all know this personally just from how we feel listening to a favourite track. It can instantly help us feel better and allow us to get in touch with how we feel, and help us express who we are and feel grounded and safe with something familiar.
What we have known subjectively and personally has over the last few decades been confirmed by science, and research is growing even more about the amazing benefits music can have on our health and wellbeing. And one area of research and science that is growing is the impact music has on people living with dementia and for those caring for them too.
With the health and wellbeing of the person living with dementia and their carer both being supported by music, there is a cumulative benefit to both that may help them be more resilient to challenge and stress.
Music therapy has been shown to be the most effective type of therapy for reducing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, improving quality of life and helping to reduce agitation and the need for antipsychotic medication. Evidence has also shown that for people living with dementia being involved in music projects of some kind can help to reduce stress, support social and communication skill, improve cognition, and improve health and wellbeing. Music allows self-expression, triggers memories and supports connection in the moment.
For those caring for people living with dementia, music can support connection with others as well as the person you are caring for. It can also make caring activities feel easier and lighter, and it can most importantly create moments of joy and comfort, and a space to let go and process all those feelings too.
How can we translate this science into our daily lives, and really get the most out of music for people living with dementia? What can we actually do?
There are several ways that we can use music in our everyday lives to support our own and other people’s wellbeing:
- Listening to music
There are many ways we can listen to music. Listening to the radio to help give us a sense of routine, community, help stimulate memories and company while doing activities. Another powerful way to listen to music is to use playlists which are bespoke and curated for that particular person. These playlists can help bring back important moments and feelings for people and evoke memories and emotions. Music videos are another powerful way of ensuring people feel part of an occasion, especially if it is a concert or live event. Being there in person for a live music event or listening to live music in a group can also bring benefits from socialising and meeting new people.
- Making music
Making music can also be something that can support people living with dementia and their carer. Playing a musical instrument can support physical and mental health by reducing stress, and it can support gross and fine motor skills, cognitive function and confidence. It also brings a sense of joy and purpose to an individual. Being part of a musical group - whether that is singing or using an instrument - brings additional benefits of socialising, feeling part of a community and lifting someone’s mood and improving how they feel. Singing also brings benefits to our physical health with regard to our lung function and allows a sense of self expression.
- Getting a prescription
Social prescribing enables health professionals to connect people to activities, groups and support that can lead to an improvement in their health and wellbeing. You can talk to your GP, Social Prescribing Link Worker or another health professional. Link workers can talk you through how music may be an activity that could support your health and wellbeing and link you up to organisations and information that can help. If you are living with dementia and music has a special place in your life, then the Link Worker may be able to connect you to a choir, a music therapist or a music making group.
Music really can play an important and vital part in helping us feel better and can support our physical and mental health, especially for those living with dementia and their carers.
