Key Takeaways
- Even in advanced dementia, music reaches parts of the brain that remain intact.
- Music therapy can help soothe symptoms like agitation, anxiety, and depression.
- Regular sessions can improve memory recall, communication, and social engagement.
- For lasting benefits, memory care communities weave music therapy into daily life.
What Are the Benefits of Music Therapy for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?
Music taps into different areas and pathways in the brain, which is why seniors with dementia may be able to remember a favorite song when recalling other memories is difficult. What makes dementia music therapy so remarkable is that the brain’s response to music often outlasts other cognitive abilities.
“Music has a way of reaching us when words and memories can’t. A familiar song can awaken a smile, stir a memory, and reconnect us to a part of ourselves that never truly disappears," said Heather Easterling, Senior Director of Resident Engagement at Sunrise Senior Living.
While the outcome of dementia music therapy sessions varies among individuals, research suggests there are many benefits of music therapy for dementia, including the ones below.
1. Music Therapy Can Reduce Behavioral Symptoms
For many families, the most urgent challenge of dementia isn't memory loss—it's the behavioral symptoms that come with it. Music therapy for dementia patients has been proven to address the most common symptoms, including agitation, anxiety, and depression.
Alzheimer’s music therapy has also been proven to reduce stress in those with dementia because it activates the autonomic nervous system, which may contribute to lowering feelings of distress in both the senior with dementia and their caregivers.
Musical intervention is a non-invasive, drug-free way to soothe common behavioral symptoms. For families looking for gentle, side-effect-free interventions, this is a significant advantage. Some days can be more difficult than others, and dementia music therapy can be especially helpful on tough days.
2. Music Can Help Improve and Maintain Communication Skills
Research has shown that music therapy for seniors with dementia has a positive effect on communication skills. Even older adults with more advanced dementia, who have difficulty with verbal communication, can experience the benefits as they sing or hum along to the music. The areas of the brain that respond to music can act as a bridge to the language center of the brain. In other words, a song can open a door to improved communication that dementia had seemed to close.
3. Music Therapy Can Strengthen Cognitive Function and Memory
One of the most celebrated benefits of music therapy in dementia treatment is its ability to unlock memories. Music can boost memory recall if the songs evoke emotions or are tied to memories of a certain time in the senior’s life.
Studies show that music therapy for seniors with dementia boosted autobiographical memory and long-term memory processes for participants. Music for Alzheimer’s patients works especially well when it’s tied to emotionally significant periods—research on music therapy for memory suggests that songs from a person’s teenage years and young adulthood are most likely to evoke strong, positive memories so these are often a good place to start.
4. Music Therapy Brings Emotional and Social Benefits for Those with Dementia
Music can uplift anyone’s mood, and for seniors with dementia, it can provide a sense of comfort by revisiting familiar moments. Depending on the song, music can evoke feelings of joy or provide a sense of calm. For many residents at Sunrise, music also plays a deeper role—honoring their sense of identity and dignity by connecting them to the people, places, and experiences that shaped who they are.
Music-based activities also increase social engagement, improving relationships between seniors and their caregivers and creating meaningful shared moments that dementia can otherwise make difficult to find.
How to Include Music Therapy in Daily Care for Dementia and Alzheimer’s
The use of music therapy in dementia or memory care isn’t limited to formal clinical sessions—it can be woven into daily life. Working with a certified music therapist can help maximize the benefits of music for seniors, though caregivers can also implement simple listening routines at home.
Play Familiar Songs
Familiar songs can strengthen memory recall. A music therapist may ask family members for help identifying a senior’s favorite songs or play several songs to see what they respond to.
When creating a playlist for seniors with dementia, prioritize music from your loved one’s teenage years and young adulthood—this is the period most likely to trigger positive emotional memories. If possible, share your loved one’s:
- Favorite band or singer
- First dance song from their wedding
- Bands or artists that were popular during their high school years
- Favorite songs tied to their cultural background or heritage
To help ensure a smooth music session, avoid streaming services with commercial interruptions, which can break the listening experience, and reduce competing background noise like television or traffic to prevent sensory overload. If a particular song causes distress, stop it calmly and try something else—always follow your loved one’s lead.
Move to Music
Movement and dancing are often encouraged during music therapy sessions. Even gentle movement like clapping or rhythmic tapping can make a difference. The benefits of adding movement to music therapy include:
- Improved motor function, as movement helps preserve motor skills
- Reduced agitation through rhythmic movements
- Improved social engagement through group movements
Sing Along to Music
Singing along to a favorite song—even if a senior can’t remember the words or can only vocalize or hum—can help with language recall. Researchers note that singing during music therapy enhances neurological stimulation by combining language, music, and instinctive behavior. Group singing sessions can improve social interactions and relaxation.
Caregivers also benefit from introducing singing to music therapy. They report that the sessions improve their sense of well-being and caregiving capacity. This is a reminder that music therapy for dementia isn’t just about the person with the diagnosis—it supports the entire family.
Explore Lyrics, Songwriting, and Art
Seniors in the early or middle stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s can look at the meaning behind lyrics or even work on writing their own songs in music therapy. Making sense of lyrics can provide an outlet for emotional expression. The group aspect of lyric discussion fosters connections with caregivers and other seniors with dementia—giving individuals a sense of agency and creative identity, which can be deeply affirming.
Music therapy also pairs naturally with art therapy. Much like music, art allows seniors to express themselves, and the two together can be especially powerful. Some seniors with more advanced Alzheimer's or dementia unlock their emotions through music first, and once unblocked, can fully participate in art therapy. Music and Memory, an organization that studies the benefits of music therapy for dementia, reported that adding music to art therapy helped seniors who had been unable to participate because their dementia had become too advanced.
How Music Therapy Fits into Memory Care
Memory care communities are uniquely positioned to make music therapy a consistent, structured part of daily life rather than an occasional activity. The best programs go beyond simply playing music in common areas—they use it intentionally, at the right moments and in the right ways, to support each resident's emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. For families exploring memory care options, understanding how a community approaches music therapy can be a meaningful indicator of the overall quality of care.
A Personalized Approach to Music and Memory Care
At Sunrise Senior Living, our musical programming is purposefully designed to meet residents where they are—emotionally, cognitively, and neurologically. Our experienced team members personalize programming that goes beyond a general playlist, focusing on:
- Each resident’s unique life story and personal history
- Cultural background and heritage
- Cognitive and emotional needs that shift over time
- The right music for the right moment throughout the day
Music Benefits Outside of a Music Therapy Session
Music at Sunrise is woven into the rhythms of daily life, not just formal sessions. Depending on the time of day and each resident’s needs, music is used to:
- Ease stress during personal care routines like bathing and dressing
- Calm agitation during sundowning hours in the late afternoon and evening
- Energize and engage residents during morning programs
- Support restful transitions into the evening
To support these goals, Sunrise partners with Coro Health, a therapeutic music platform that offers evidence-based programs tailored to mood, time of day, and cognitive need.
What Families Can Expect at Sunrise
The impact of music at Sunrise is something our team members witness every day. Residents who may be withdrawn or quiet often begin tapping their hands, humming, or singing when familiar music plays. Music unlocks memories and language, allowing residents to speak, sing lyrics, or share stories that might otherwise remain inaccessible—and in those moments, connections are made that dementia can otherwise make difficult to find.
Validation, developed by Naomi Feil, is one of the communication methods some Sunrise team members may use to reach residents in these moments, with music being one of the Validation techniques.
A well-known video shows Feil using Validation with Gladys Wilson, a woman living with advanced Alzheimer's who hadn't spoken in years. As a familiar hymn plays, Wilson begins to hum, then sing, and the two share a genuine moment of connection.
It’s the kind of moment Sunrise team members see, too. Families and caregivers often find residents with dementia appear more relaxed, more engaged, and more present after music sessions. For many family members, it's the first time in a long time they've felt truly connected to the person they love.
Music therapy at Sunrise isn't just programming—it's a way of honoring each resident's identity, dignity, and life story every single day.
If you're exploring memory care options for your loved one, find a Sunrise community near you. Our team would be happy to answer any questions about our memory care services and programming or help you schedule a tour.