Music as medicine
As a study suggests music can play a role in helping dementia patients, the Alzheimer’s Society outlines drug-free ways to ease symptoms to LISA SALMON
AS people live longer, it’s estimated that more than one million people in the UK and Ireland will have a diagnosis of dementia by 2025. And there’s currently no cure for this devastating condition.
But there are ways to ease its symptoms. The Power of Music report, which follows a study by UK Music (ukmusic.org), the collective voice of the UK’s music industry, and the health and music campaign Music for Dementia (musicfordementia.org.uk), has stressed the extraordinary health benefits of music, and called for more to be done to help people fully appreciate its power.
Grace Meadows, cam- paign director for Music for Dementia explains that because we process music across the whole brain, as dementia develops, unaffected parts of the brain can still process music, and research shows that music therapy can reduce agitation and the need for medication in 67% of people living with dementia.
“Music is a conversation and it’s a powerful means of communication,” she stresses. “By working with music to help reduce the often-distressing symptoms of dementia – such as anxiety, apathy, depression and confusion – it enables people to contribute to and be part of a creative process that takes them out of their experience with dementia, connecting them to themselves, those around them and the world around them.”
The Alzheimer’s Society (AS; alzheimers.org.uk) says music is one of the ways to treat symptoms without drugs, and Tim Beanland, head of knowledge at the AS, adds: “Music and singing can bring back memories and alleviate low mood and anxiety, as well as promote communication. Perhaps most of all, it brings people together.”
The AS says the main non-drug treatments for dementia through ‘person-centred care’ are...
Music and creative arts
The AS says making music, dancing and painting can keep the brain active, and it recommends joining one of its Singing for the Brain groups. Grace stresses: “The benefits of music extend beyond the person living with dementia. We know those moments of connection with someone living with dementia can create a shared experience that enables people to be seen for who they are, beyond their diagnosis. It really can help to improve everyone’s mood.”
Cognitive rehabilitation
Cognitive rehabilitation involves a therapist helping dementia patients to do activities they find difficult, such as learning or re-learning how to use household appliances or mobile phones, or managing daily tasks like cooking better.
“This gets parts of the brain that are working to help the parts that are not,” explains the AS.
Cognitive stimulation therapy
This is a range of activities which help keep the brain active, including puzzles, talking about the news, or doing something creative, like singing.
Life stories and reminiscence
This is a way to improve the mood, wellbeing and memory of people with dementia. A scrapbook, photo album or app may be used to record
or talk about important things that have happened in someone’s life, to make the memories easier to remember and access.
Reminiscence work uses photos, objects or music in a similar way, to get people talking about their past.
Complementary therapies
The AS says aromatherapy, massage or bright light therapy – sitting in front of a light box every day to help regulate the circadian rhythm, which can be disrupted – can be used, as well as other treatments.
It says people interested in trying complementary dementia therapies should talk to their GP, and always make sure their therapist is properly trained.