Finding What Resonates with Your Loved One: Music Therapy for Caregivers

Before reading any further, think of your favorite song! What does it bring up for you? Does it make you want to dance, or cry, or reminisce? Most of us have a personal connection to music, but few people know of its psychological benefits for people experiencing dementia and thier caregivers. We all have our favorite songs, but did you know that music can reduce anxiety, improve cognitive functioning, promote physical rehabilitation, ease experiences of pain, and enhance interpersonal communication? When caring for loved ones experiencing brain changes, music is often a way we are able to continue to connect.

1. Supporting their Activities of Daily Living (such as dressing, bathing, toileting, etc.),
2. Advocating for their care team (doctors, nurses, in-home aids, etc.) to utilize music when caring for their loved ones, especially in moments of discomfort or distress, and
3. Engaging with music themselves (as caregivers) to decompress and process challenges throughout the day.

There are a number of resources in the community (and beyond) that utilize the power of music:

• The Orange County Department of Aging is revamping their ‘Music & Memory’ program, which offers support in creating personalized playlists for your loved one as an “effective, side-effect-free, non-pharmacological approach to improving quality of life and care” (About Us - Music and Memory). If you are interested in participating, call our Aging Helpline at (919) 968-2087. If you’d like to support this program, the OC Department of Aging is accepting donations for CDs, iPods, MP3 players, iTunes gift cards, etc.
• The Music Therapy Association of North Carolina offers a directory of Certified Music Therapists (CMTs) across the state, found here: Find a Therapist - Music Therapy Association of North Carolina (ncmusictherapy.org)
• The American Music Therapy Association offers information and frequently asked questions about “what music therapists do,” found here: How to Find a Music Therapist | American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
• Check out the heartwarming documentary, “Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory,” which depicts a journey of bringing music to a nursing home. This Sundance Film Festival award-winning film has been described as, “a joyous cinematic exploration of music’s capacity to reawaken our souls and uncover the deepest parts of our humanity.” The film can be viewed through the Chapel Hill Public Library’s online reserves, Apple TV or Amazon Prime, or on YouTube using the following link: Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory [2014] Documentary - YouTube.

• For individuals with Dementia, music has been found to reduce agitation, improve social skills, and elevate mood. Caregivers play a significant role in inviting music into their care routines and/or coordinating with others who can help. (The effects of music therapy for older people with dementia - PubMed (nih.gov)) AARP’s article, “The Healing Power of Music” includes numerous personal accounts from caregivers who found music supportive of their loved ones, especially during “sundowning.” (Music Therapy for Dementia, Alzheimer's Patients (aarp.org))
• For individuals experiencing chronic pain, music can provide a helpful distraction and mood booster. Studies have found that music can reduce pain and improve quality of life after surgeries (Effect of Music Therapy on the Chronic Pain and Midterm Quality of Life of Patients after Mechanical Valve Replacement - PMC (nih.gov)). Numerous studies have even found that music therapy significantly reduced patients’ need for pain relievers (The effects of music intervention in the management of chronic pain: a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial - PubMed (nih.gov)).
• For individuals experiencing Parkinson’s Disease, studies have found that participation in singing (individually and in groups) improves patients “communication, swallowing, breathing,” and contributes to an overall enhancement of physical functioning and quality of life (Music therapy for depression: it seems to work, but how? | The British Journal of Psychiatry | Cambridge Core).
• For individuals experiencing depression, music has been found to improve both patient-reported and clinician-reported symptoms, especially when it is combined with traditional treatments because it offers “opportunities for new aesthetic, physical, and relational experiences.” (Music therapy for depression - PMC (nih.gov)). For those who are grieving the loss of physical or mental agility, participating in music (banging on a drum or strumming a ukulele) can give a sense of purpose and ‘active doing’ (Music therapy for depression: it seems to work, but how? | The British Journal of Psychiatry | Cambridge Core).
• Music is for everyone, including individuals who are hard of hearing! Keep in mind that hearing loss affects each person differently. Some people may struggle to hear certain tones (especially higher tones) but may still feel the beat and baseline of a song. (How the deaf and hard of hearing experience music | Hearing Like Me)

There is no one “best” style of music. What matters most is what resonates with you and the person you are supporting. Whether you or the person you care for loves Jazz, R&B, Bachata, Salsa, Rock, Pop, Classical, Spirituals, Reggae, Ragtime, Funk, Folk, Gamelon, Mele, or anything else, consider pressing play on a favorite tune to discover what it sparks! 

In Need of Incontinence Supplies?

Thanks to generous donations, the Department on Aging has a supply of incontinence supplies including: bed pads, pull up briefs, adult diapers, wipes, and adult booster pads. If you are in need of any of these items, we may be able to provide you with up to one pack per month (depending on availability of the items requested). Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087 or Agingtransitions@Orangecountync.gov) to request supplies.