Music and memory
Remember My Song: Music and Memory in Alzheimer's and Dementia
Music and memory are closely linked in Alzheimer's and other dementias. Music therapy for people living with dementia, and simply sharing favorite songs at home, both build on something many caregivers see for themselves: the power of music. Your person may struggle to find words, yet still sing every line of a song they loved at sixteen. The right song can seem to lift the fog, calm a hard afternoon and bring you back together, even for a few minutes.
Can music help with dementia?
Yes. Music can't cure or stop dementia, but it can help a person living with dementia feel calmer, more connected and more like themselves.
Familiar songs often unlock memories and feelings that are hard to reach in conversation.
Music helps caregivers too. Sharing a song can turn a hard moment into a good one for both of you.
The Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center (ADRC) offers free Music Boxes to care partners. Call (407) 436-7750 to learn more.
Why do people with dementia remember song lyrics when they forget so much else?
Musical memories are often among the last to fade. Scientists are still studying exactly why, but a person living with Alzheimer's may remember the words to an old song long after they've forgotten what they ate for breakfast.
Songs we loved when we were young are tied to strong emotions. That emotional link seems to help those memories last.
Music also asks very little of us. You don't have to think hard to tap your foot or hum along, so a person can join in even when other activities have become frustrating.
To learn more, see the Alzheimer's Association's guide to art and music and the National Institute on Aging's caregiving resources.
When a song brings someone back
He was unable to communicate as he once did. He was not oriented to self, place, or time, but the moment I started playing 'Stormy Weather' by Lena Horne he was instantaneously transported back to his days as a pianist at the Copacabana on E 60th street in New York City.
Even though she can't remember what she ate for breakfast, she knows all the lyrics to the songs from her teen years.
Words cannot express what the men and women at ADRC do to help Families in one of the most challenging times of their lives.
What is music therapy for dementia?
Music therapy for dementia is a clinical service led by a board-certified music therapist. The therapist uses listening, singing, rhythm and movement to work toward goals such as easing agitation, lifting mood and helping a person connect.
Sessions can be one-on-one or in a small group, and they are planned around the person's history, abilities and favorite music.
Sharing music at home is not the same as music therapy, but it builds on the same idea, and any caregiver can do it. The steps below show you how, and ADRC's free Music Box can help you get started.
Want to learn more about caring for someone living with dementia? Our education programs offer workshops and classes for caregivers. For help finding other local services, our Information & Referral team can answer your questions by phone or email.
How does music help people living with dementia?
Every person is different, but caregivers often notice music can:
Calm agitation
Soft, familiar music can help settle a restless afternoon or a tense moment.
Open a door to communication
When words are hard to find, a person may still hum, sing a line or tap along. Those moments can be a way to connect and understand how they feel.
Spark memories and conversation
An old favorite can bring back a dance, a wedding or a first car, and open up a story. Some caregivers say it's like their person wakes up for a while.
Lift mood and energy
Upbeat songs can make it easier to get moving, get dressed or head out to an appointment.
Build connection
Singing, clapping or drumming together is a way to share time when talking is hard.
Bring joy to the caregiver
Seeing your person light up is a gift for you, too.
How to use music with your person at home
You don't need any musical training. Try these simple steps.
Choose songs from their youth
Music from their teens and early twenties usually carries the strongest memories. Ask family members for favorites.
Match the music to the moment
On a tense afternoon, start with music that fits how your person feels right now, then slowly shift. Go from slow to lively to lift energy, or lively to slow to help them relax.
Turn routines into songs
Swap the words of a familiar tune for the task at hand, like brushing teeth or putting on shoes. A fun song can make a hard task easier.
Keep it simple
Play one song at a time with no ads or loud background noise. Turn off the TV first.
Join in
Sing, hum, clap or tap a drum. Your person may follow your lead.
Watch and adjust
Notice smiles, tapping feet or calm breathing. If a song brings tears or tension, gently change it.
Music and dementia: common questions
How does music affect the brain in dementia?
Music seems to reach parts of memory and emotion that are often less affected early on. That is why a person may respond to a song when other things no longer get through. Researchers are still learning how this works.
What music should I play for someone with dementia?
Start with songs they loved as a teenager or young adult, in the language they grew up with. Faith music, dance music and the songs from big life events are often good choices. If faith matters to your family, ADRC's free Renewed Care devotional can be a quiet companion to the hymns you share.
Does music really help dementia patients?
For many people living with dementia, yes. Familiar music can ease stress, lift mood and help a person connect with the people around them. It doesn't help everyone the same way, and it can't cure or stop dementia, so watch how your person responds and keep what works.
Are there disadvantages of music therapy for dementia?
Music can sometimes upset a person living with dementia. Music that is too loud, too fast, unfamiliar or linked to a sad memory can cause distress. Keep the volume low, watch their reaction and stop if they seem uneasy. A board-certified music therapist plans sessions to avoid these problems.
How do I find music therapy for seniors near me?
Ask your person's doctor for a referral to a board-certified music therapist. In Central Florida, ADRC's Information & Referral team can also help you look for local services. Call (407) 436-7750.
Can we keep using music after mom or dad moves to memory care?
Yes. A move can be hard on everyone, and familiar songs can bring a little of home along. Make a short list or playlist of favorites, share it with the care team, and play a song together when you visit.
Why does my mom remember song lyrics but not what she ate for breakfast?
Songs from our younger years are tied to strong emotions, and musical memories are often among the last to fade. That's why a person living with Alzheimer's may sing every word of an old favorite while forgetting something that happened an hour ago. It's common, and it's a door you can use to connect.
Can music or a special sound frequency reverse dementia?
No. Music can't cure, stop or reverse dementia. Be cautious with videos or products that promise a 'miracle' sound or frequency that repairs the brain. What familiar music can do is ease stress, lift mood and help you connect. Talk with your person's doctor about any treatment claim.
Should I leave music playing all day?
Usually not. Music works best when it's chosen for the moment and played with few other sounds around it. Constant background music can become noise and add to confusion. Try a few favorite songs at set times, like mornings or the late afternoon.
How do you do music therapy for dementia?
Formal music therapy is done by a board-certified music therapist, so ask your person's doctor about a referral. At home, you can use music in a similar spirit: choose songs from their youth, match the music to the moment, keep it simple, join in and watch how they respond. The steps on this page walk you through it.
Is listening to music the same as music therapy?
No. Music therapy is a clinical service led by a board-certified music therapist. Listening and making music together at home is something any caregiver can do, and ADRC's free Music Box can help you get started.
Where can I get free music help for my person in Central Florida?
ADRC's Harmony in Care Music Box Initiative offers free Music Boxes with simple instruments and easy instructions to care partners. Request one on our Music Box page.
Bring the power of music home
Request a free Music Box with simple instruments, a playlist for your person and easy-to-follow instructions. Available in English and Spanish from the Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center (ADRC), (407) 436-7750, serving Orange and Seminole counties.
Related help from ADRC
More ways we can help:
- Support Groups
- Care Navigation: like a GPS for the dementia journey. Bring us a problem and we'll help you work through it and build a personalized care plan, which can include music. Free, in person or virtual.