Dementia
The art of music therapy in dementia care
Music therapy is increasingly being recognised as a significant factor in providing effective, personalised care for people with dementia, writes Joy Henshaw.
Music therapy has long been a beloved and valued activity within care environments, but, in recent years, its role within dementia care has transformed into something far more significant than just a nice-to-have. Increasingly, it’s being recognised not just as a fun activity, but as a powerful therapeutic tool that can support emotional wellbeing in ways that few other interventions can. According to the Alzheimer’s Society,
around one million people are currently living with dementia in the UK. As this number grows, so does the need for approaches that not only manage symptoms but also enhance daily life – and music therapy is one of the most effective methods of achieving this. For those living with dementia,
where memory loss, confusion and disorientation are often a large part of daily life, particularly in the evenings when ‘sundowning’ can come into effect, music offers a distraction and can be a comforting tool to help promote calmness. It bypasses many of the cognitive barriers associated with the condition and connects directly with emotion and memory. This is why, even in the later stages of dementia – when verbal communication may be limited – the response to music can remain remarkably strong. Within care settings, this is something
witnessed time and time again. People who may be withdrawn or unsettled can become noticeably calmer when familiar music is introduced. Others who struggle
to engage in conversation may begin to sing along, recall lyrics or tap in rhythm, often with a level of clarity and confidence that is not seen elsewhere in their day-to-day interactions. These moments are not only powerful for
the individual but also deeply meaningful for those around them. Families often describe the experience of seeing a loved one reconnect with a piece of music as both emotional and reassuring. For a few minutes, it can feel as though the person they know is fully present again, offering a sense of continuity and connection that dementia can sometimes make difficult to maintain. The effectiveness of music in dementia care is rooted in the way it is processed by
Music fits naturally within the person-centred model, as it is inherently personal and deeply tied to individual life stories
the brain. While dementia typically affects areas responsible for memory, reasoning and language, those linked to musical memory and emotional response can often remain more accessible, particularly in the earlier and middle stages of the condition. This means music can act as a bridge,
triggering memories, encouraging recognition and supporting continued cognitive engagement, even when other forms of communication become more difficult. A song from someone’s youth, for example, can trigger vivid memories, evoke strong emotions and even stimulate physical responses such as movement or dancing. It’s often found that playing songs from a person’s wedding or other significant moment in their life can seemingly transport them back to that very moment in time, taking them out of their confusion into a moment of peace and joy. Importantly, these responses are not
purely nostalgic; music can also help regulate mood, reduce anxiety, provide comfort and bring joy, even in moments of distress. Non-pharmacological interventions such as
June 2026
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