Music Therapy For Dementia

Have you considered music therapy for your loved ones? There’s something magical and heartwarming about the music one grew up with. My kids are shocked when they see me sound out every word to a song, sing so loud and sometimes jump up and “dance” when I hear a throwback song from my high school or college days.

I have observed many friends with dementia get sparkles in their eyes and springs in their entire bodies when they hear songs from their “hey days”.  They may not remember their names or any facts about who they are, but they amazingly remembered every word to some old songs. Sometimes they even remembered the singers and what moves they used to dance to the songs. Music therapy is a great tool that is underutilized in many treatment plans today. With a song, you could light up someone’s entire day, especially when the song gets “stuck” in their head.

In this age of Pandora, YouTube, Spotify, and many other platforms, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to how we listen to music. Indulge your loved ones in music therapy and you will be amazed how such a small act of love will mightily bless them.

With the long Memorial Day Weekend upon us, squeeze in a little time to visit, call or skype your parents/grannies and surprise them with a music throwback. You could even just text them a link of the song.

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