Music Therapy for Dementia & Alzheimer's

Music therapy products work synergistically for patients with Alzheimer's, dementia and memory loss. These music products can be used by caregivers or by a Certified Music Therapists*. We observe that music relieves the stress, anxiety and depression of the patient as well as reducing their agitation. Research has confirmed the benefits of providing people who have dementia with music they remember. The restorative effect of music vastly improves the quality of life at home, mental well-being, and promotes independent living.

Caregivers use music therapy as one of their tools to comfort and care for those with dementia. Our Music Player is simple to use and retro in style. It is pre-loaded with over 40 hits of yesteryear, and is capable of playing your own MP3s, including Audio Books, Bible verses or hymns. At memory care facilities, professional caregivers working with music for Alzheimer's patients love our selection of CD's as they are created by music therapy professionals. We also offer a one button radio with no dials for those who have a favorite radio station.

Moving to the music is a great aerobic activity and using music as therapy is known to increase brain and motor skills. Therapists who add exercise and dance movements to music say it becomes a favorite activity.

Tapping a foot, humming a tune or dancing to the rhythm of a melody are all good examples of how music can impact one's mood. For dementia patients, music is very effective when combined with faith. Some of our earliest memories are attending religious based ceremonies which were combined with song. We have multiple CD selections that include Gospel and Christmas themes.

* “Music Therapy” describes a specific set of treatment protocols that are provided by a trained Music Therapist. To find a certified therapist click HERE

If you'd like to apply music therapy to help a loved one who has Alzheimer's disease, consider these tips:

• Think about your loved one's preferences. What kind of music does your loved one enjoy? What music evokes memories of happy times in his or her life? Involve family and friends by asking them to suggest songs or make playlists.
• Set the mood. To calm your loved one during mealtime or a morning hygiene routine, play music or sing a song that's soothing. When you'd like to boost your loved one's mood, use faster paced music.
• Avoid overstimulation. When playing music, eliminate competing noises. Turn off the TV. Shut the door. Set the volume based on your loved one's hearing ability. Opt for music that isn't interrupted by commercials, which can cause confusion.
• Encourage movement. Help your loved one to clap along or tap his or her feet to the beat. If possible, dance with your loved one.
• Pay attention to your loved one's response. If your loved one seems to enjoy particular songs, play them often. If your loved one reacts negatively to a particular song or type of music, choose something else.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta said on CNN when explaining the complexity of the brain and how it relates to the music that, "We find that when someone is asked to sing a song, for example, after a brain injury, how many different parts of the brain get utilized. First, you've got to remember the words to that song, and then you've got to carry those words across from one side of the brain to the other, to allow someone to actually begin to say those words. Then you've got to carry a tune. That requires messages going across the middle of the brain as well, and then sometimes you can stand up and do some moves with the music and that can reestablish rhythm." Read more from WDTV.COM...