Music Therapy and Dementia

By creating music together, a therapeutic relationship is developed between therapist and client and communications and expressions from the client are heard, valued and supported by the therapist.

Each session is client led and carefully tailored to the client’s needs.

Music Therapists use a combination of familiar songs and improvisation in order to enable a creative, shared engagement in the music.

For a person with later stages of dementia, this may mean that the therapist sensitively creates music to reflect the person’s breathing rate, movements or vocal sounds.

Through the music, connections can be made, and a unique musical interaction takes place.

Music therapy encourages self-expression and interaction

And can bring improvements in wellbeing, mood, and communication. These benefits can in turn lead to a reduction in agitation, restlessness and anxiety for the person with dementia. Sharing music together also alleviates feelings of loneliness and can reduce social isolation.

We have also found that by working together with the person with dementia and their carer, music therapy brings much needed support to carers too.

There is no right or wrong way to create music and no previous musical skill is necessary to participate. Every sound is valued as a communication, and the choice to play or just to listen is always respected.