Most people with dementia have difficulty with communication. So for some people music and song enable them to express themselves and unlock memories and feelings. These activities could be with the carer and the person they take care of or in a small group with family members or friends. Music can be used as a formal therapy with a trained therapist or simply for enjoyment with family and friends.
The British Society for Music Therapy explain how music can help people.
"The ability to appreciate and to respond to music is an inborn quality in human beings. This ability usually remains unimpaired by handicap, illness or injury and is not dependent on music training. For people who find verbal communication an inadequate form of self expression, music offers a safe, secure space for the release of feelings."
The BSMT is involved with people with a wide range of emotional, physical and learning difficulties and those with sensory impairment. It has therapists who work with individuals and groups of people.
As a carer it can be fun to use some of the BSMT basic techniques. Putting together tapes of favourite songs, songs that have hand actions to match the lyrics or the opportunity to play instruments along with the music are all opportunities for people to express themselves. Instruments like drums, triangles and keyboards are usually popular and allow improvised music making. Of course music making could lead to dancing too!
You could also play Name That Tune, by playing the first few moments of a track of music and seeing if anyone recognises it.
If you make up other music games that are fun for your person with dementia let us know about them so that we can pass on your ideas.
