how music helps

Did you know that our brains are hard-wired to connect music with long-term memory? The parts of the brain that respond to music, are very close to the parts of the brain associated with memory, emotion and mood.


Even for persons with severe dementia, music can tap deep emotional recall. Favorite songs associated with important personal events can trigger not only the memory of lyrics, but also the emotional experience connected to the music.


Through listening to the music they love, a previously unresponsive or agitated person can feel calmer or more joyful. Personalized music has been shown to increase cooperation and attention, reduce agitation and “sundowning” as well as enhancing engagement and fostering a calmer social environment. “ Custom-tailored” music improves quality of life by enabling the listener to reconnect, regain social skills and live more fully.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT

When I’ve worked with people with Alzheimers and various forms of dementia, some of them are confused, some are agitated, some lethargic, some have lost language. But all of them, without exception, respond to music."   Oliver Sacks, MD, noted neurologist and best-selling author of Musicophilia.

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