Music therapy can be incredibly effective for those with memory issues. It has been proven to enhance their daily lives and may even help them recall long forgotten memories.

Enhances memory

People of all ages and stages of life can relate to hearing a song from a different time in life and being taken right back in time. Songs can ignite a sense of nostalgia unlike any other mechanism. Music, whether new or familiar, evokes emotion. Listening to a particular song can bring up memories of a spouse, children, grandchildren or even a well-loved hobby or career. When coupled with activities of daily living, music can help to trigger memories associated with each activity. After some time, listening to the same song during the same activity can help bolster your loved one’s cognitive abilities throughout each activity.

Improves mood

Agitation, anger, and delusions can become a daily occurrence for those dealing with Alzheimer’s. Listening to music or playing a musical instrument has been shown to increase levels of endorphins that help elevate overall mood and even improve sleep. Music can become a powerful tool for calming your loved one and turning around a foul mood quickly.

Lowering stress levels

Seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can experience ever-increasing stress levels, which can cause isolation, boredom and depression. Stress is also a strong contributor to agitation and anger. Turning on your loved one’s favorite tunes has been proven to lower stress levels and brighten moods while helping them feel more relaxed and at ease.

Optimizing sleep

One of the common side effects of Alzheimer’s is the inability to sleep for longer periods of time, leading to interrupted sleep patterns and a disrupted circadian rhythm. Due to music’s calming effect, it has been proven to improve sleep for seniors living with Alzheimer’s. Thanks to the release of endorphins that are released when your loved one listens to their favorite songs, their body will produce more melatonin and help them get a better night’s rest. It is important to note that many other complications can arise for seniors that aren’t getting enough sleep, so prioritizing rest is very important.

Mind stimulation

Seniors with Alzheimer’s should be engaging their brain in stimulating activity on a daily basis. Studies show that listening to music activates a large portion of the brain, surprisingly, not just the area responsible for music and singing. In fact, listening to music seems to activate the right side of the brain and even spark activity in the left side of the brain, as well. With this added stimulation, many seniors with Alzheimer’s find that they can think more clearly than usual while listening to music.