In the last decade, music therapy has been increasingly common in therapies for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
Both conditions are characterized by a decline in the patient’s memory, affecting their behavioral, emotional and social functions. Music can help them cope emotionally and psychologically—and experience joy in the moment. At Aravilla Clearwater Memory Care, we understand the positive power of music, which is why we make live music available to our residents every day!
Therapeutic Benefits
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Decreased Depression and Anxiety
Music therapy can reduce depression by relieving anxiety and lowering the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. In addition, music affects the endocrine and autonomic nervous system, decreasing tension and blood pressure, which can also help the patient get a good night’s rest.
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Decreased Apathy
Seeing your loved ones lose interest in the things they used to enjoy can be difficult. Apathy is caused by damage to the brain’s frontal lobes and can begin in the early stages of dementia. However, the sound and movement involved in music therapy can motivate and invigorate them.
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Increased Verbal and Language Fluency
Music therapy improves dementia patients’ verbal and language fluency, and memory recall is improved when accessing them through music. For example, while a patient might have difficulty expressing themselves in words, they may be able to sing a song recalled from childhood. This technique works because both sides of the brain recognize music. If function is declining on one side of the brain, the other side can still process the music, allowing for self-expression.
If you’d like to explore the benefits of music therapy for your memory care patient, we can help! Contact Aravilla Clearwater Memory Care today.
