Music can help improve the life of a person living with dementia

A recent article in AARP shared an interview with Neuroscientist Julene Johnson about the role of music in cultivating a healthy brain. Julene shared that some of the benefits of involvement with music are physical.

Playing the Genre and Style of music the person you are caring for grew up with can spark memories from their early days and entice them to stand up and dance. Physical activity is good for everyone so join in the fun and dance!

Dancing to music improves physical function, which is often a link people don’t make. Music has health benefits for centuries, going back as far as early philosophers and thinkers. NIH launched a five-year research project to accelerate studies on music and dementia.

Julene is a leader in the Sound Health Network. The Network is working to inform the general public that music has the potential to improve lives. It is collaborating with the National Institutes of Health, the Kennedy Center, and opera star Renee Fleming to conduct more research.

What they found:

The Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) convened a diverse panel of experts to examine the latest evidence on how music influences brain health. Following a lively discussion moderated by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the GCBH experts agreed that engaging in music has the powerful potential to support brain health. The culmination of the group’s efforts is this report and its recommendations for older adults. In a real-life inspirational story, AARP The Magazine illustrated how music has helped keep beloved singer Tony Bennett grounded and engaged during his journey with Alzheimer’s over the past four years.

“We know that music is a powerful stimulator of the brain. It has the potential to be a critical tool to preserve and enhance brain health. For now, let's stop for a moment and listen to the music,” said Jacobo Mintzer, M.D., Executive Director of the Roper Saint Francis Research and Innovation Center and Governance Committee lead for this report.

The GCBH issue experts were able to reach 13 points of consensus around music and healthy aging and 5 for treatment of disease or injuries causing cognitive impairment over the next several months as the report developed. Although more research is needed, the GCBH issue experts have concluded that listening and making music holds significant potential to support brain health as people age. The GCBH has adopted 10 recommendations for individuals to incorporate music into their lives to promote mental well-being, increase social connection, and stimulate thinking skills. These recommendations as well as practical tips are provided in the final report and were approved by the GCBH Governance Committee in June 2020. Liaisons from numerous civic and nonprofit organizations with expertise in music and brain health reviewed drafts and helped refine the report. The result is a cache of helpful information for adults 50+, health care providers, and supportive communities and family members.

Among the report’s recommendations is to dance, sing or move to music – these activities not only provide physical exercise but can relieve stress and are fun ways to socialize with friends and family, and can be adapted to be done virtually even if you can’t physically be together. Although listening to music that you know and like tends to cause the strongest response in the brain, try listening to new music to engage your brain. Personalized playlists you can put together for yourself or loved ones by using music apps on computers or smartphones are good options, and these apps may suggest other new music you might be interested in. If you notice you are having trouble hearing, don’t delay getting your hearing checked. Also try making music yourself by learning to play a musical instrument, though singing may be the simplest way to get started (if you aren’t already singing in the shower!)  

To complement the GCBH’s report, AARP surveyed 3,185 American adults age 18 and older about their attitudes and engagement in music-related activities and their self-perceptions of brain health. The survey found that adults who engage in music making and listening are more likely to self-report their overall health, brain health, and cognitive function as excellent or very good. While the survey can’t establish cause and effect, it shows that music is a very popular leisure activity that is engaging to many people of all ages and has promising potential for brain health benefits.

Here is an expert from the report regarding music and caregiving:

C. Caregiving and Music: An “Unforgettable” Connection Music offers great possibilities to ease the burden carried by dementia caregivers, yet some may not think of it as a resource. Caregivers often contend with extreme stress that undermines their health and well-being and even increases their risk of dementia. So, it is worth emphasizing that music’s healing attributes can apply to caregivers themselves. Caregivers can also use music as a tool to engage those they care for. They can use it to help keep their loved ones calm, boost their spirits, and forge connections with those who have become distant. The anecdotal evidence is powerful. Caregivers report that the right music can transform the demeanor of those they care for, bringing sudden cheer to those who are usually morose. They tell of joyful interactions, such as singing with loved ones, when other attempts to connect have proven futile. This extraordinary phenomenon is illustrated by a choral group known as the Unforgettables, founded by Mary Mittelman, a research professor at New York University School of Medicine and a GCBH issue specialist. The Unforgettables is made up of individuals who have Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. They practice regularly in a supportive, sociable environment of equals and perform concerts that may include a dozen songs. The shared participation and easygoing connections are rewarding for everyone. It’s inspiring to see how engaged the members get in their music, clapping hands and swaying in a unified spirit of happiness.

Read the full report: https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/global-council-on-brain-health/music/