Music therapy improves well-being in people with dementia and caregivers

Every three seconds, someone in the world develops dementia.

There are over 50 million people worldwide living with dementia in 2020.

This number will almost double every 20 years, reaching 82 million in 2030 and 152 million in 2050.

Source: Alzheimer’s Disease International

Music therapy: A non-pharmacological intervention for dementia

Music therapy uses the powerful abilities of music to improve a person’s well-being. It is an alternative to other types of therapy, such as counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Studies have shown music may reduce agitation and improve behavioural issues that are common in the middle-stages of the disease. Even in the late-stages of Alzheimer’s, a person may be able to tap a beat or sing lyrics to a song from childhood. Music provides a way to connect, even after verbal communication has become difficult.

Tips for using music

• Identify music that’s familiar and enjoyable to the person. If possible, let the person choose the music.
• Choose a source of music that isn’t interrupted by commercials, which can cause confusion.
• Start with gentle, quiet music. But make the music a focal point, so consider putting an audio source on in front of the person and adjusting the volume as applicable.

Equipment

Option 1: Mp3 Player
Pros:
- no internet connection required;
- portable;
- relatively cheap.

Cons:
- limited capacity to maintain: recharge, update songs, turn it on and off by a person with dementia as well as caregivers;
- requires additional equipment (headphones)

Option 2: Amazon Echo device with the “Sound Stream” Alexa skill

Pros:
- easy to setup and maintain: a caregiver can create / update playlists in Dropbox (free account is available)
- easy to run: with Alexa routines a caregiver can set a predefined timer events that will trigger a playback automatically.
- no additional equipment are required: Echo Dot or Echo Show provides great sound out of the box;
- relatively cheap: you can buy Amazon Echo Dot for a price of mp3 player.

Cons:
- internet connection required.

In conclusion:
Music is a non-medical approach to helping manage and contain symptoms of dementia.
Music can support the retention of speech and language skills.
Music listening can be an easy way to support daily tasks and personal care, changing the way someone experiences everyday routines.
Music resonates deeply with people, tapping into their identity and their experiences. It enables people living with dementia to stay connected to who they are, the people and their world around them.

If you have any questions related to how to use Amazon Echo devices in Music therapy, please contact us: support@voiceactivity.com