How music can calm, connect, and uplift in dementia caregiving: A guide for caregivers
Music isn’t just background noise–it’s a powerful bridge to memory, emotion, and connection. For people living with dementia, a favorite melody can unlock stories, lift spirits, and spark moments of clarity. Patriotic songs might stir something in veterans. Hits from the past can bring back the joy of youth.
Even as dementia progresses, many people can still recall and sing along to beloved songs. That’s because musical memory often lives in parts of the brain, like the cerebellum, that remain stronger, even in the early and middle stages of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Why Music Matters in Dementia Care
Music offers more than just a pleasant background noise. It can:
- Encourage movement and exercise
- Boost mood and reduce anxiety
- Support language and communication
- Nurture emotional well-being
- Meet physical, psychological, and even spiritual needs
Music therapy has been shown to help reduce confusion, agitation, and even resistance to care. It’s an accessible, low-cost way to meet your loved one where they are–and help them feel safe, seen, and soothed.
Getting Started: Know Their Favorites
Before you press play, take time to explore the kinds of music your loved one enjoys or used to love. Create playlists tailored to their preferences and to different moments throughout the day. Think about songs that hold meaning for different moods and routines.
Ways to Use Music Throughout the Day
1. Morning Music to Start the Day
Set a positive tone with an upbeat favorite during morning routines. Whether it’s brushing teeth or getting dressed, music can make the experience more joyful—for both of you.
2. Mealtime Music
Busy restaurants can be overwhelming, and the same goes for noisy environments at home. Try playing soft, instrumental music during meals. It helps create a calm space that encourages focus on eating. Skip lyrics, which might distract or prompt your loved one to sing along. Studies even show that soothing lunchtime music can reduce late-day agitation, a common challenge in dementia care.
3. Music for Movement and Exercise
Need motivation for some gentle movement? Music can help. Pick songs that match the rhythm of the activity—whether it’s stretching, light exercise, or dancing around the living room. Moving to music can be energizing, fun, and good for brain health.
4. Music for Cultural and Spiritual Connection
Songs tied to your faith, culture, or heritage can bring deep comfort and a sense of identity. Playing familiar religious or spiritual music can help your loved one feel more grounded, especially during moments of disorientation or sadness.
5. Music as a Creative Outlet
Your loved one doesn’t need to be a musician to enjoy making music. Singing, tapping on a drum, or joining a community music group can foster social connection and stimulate the brain. Explore local programs like intergenerational choirs, dementia-friendly drum circles, or music events at adult day centers or schools.
6. Music to Redirect and Soothe
elbi recommends playing music to help manage challenging moments. Familiar, calming music can gently shift their attention and soothe their emotions if your loved one feels agitated, overwhelmed, or resistant to care. Place speakers in key spaces—like the bedroom, bathroom, or dining area—so you can play the right music when needed. Think of it as part of your caregiving toolkit for easing into tricky tasks like bathing or dressing.
7. Winding Down at Night
As the day winds down, help your loved one relax with slow, calming music. Soft melodies can signal that it’s time to rest, creating a peaceful bedtime routine that supports better sleep.
Explore More Music Moments
Build out playlists based on your loved one’s preferences and use them to shape your daily rhythm. Music can transform ordinary moments into meaningful ones and strengthen the bond between you and the person you’re caring for.
You don’t need to be a music therapist to make a difference. Just press play—and let the healing power of music do the rest.
Activities for people with dementia: Tips for keeping your loved one engaged during the day
Even in the early stages, people living with dementia do much better when they are occupied and productive. Planning structured activities and assigning specific tasks for each day will be helpful for you as the caregiver and your loved one. The right activities, such as things to do with their hands, games, crafts, or sensory activities, can provide a good mental workout, emotional and well-being, and a sense of independence for people living with dementia.
Doing more than just keeping someone busy means also focusing on the person’s skills and abilities that remain instead of their losses and limitations, which is an important component of compassionate caregiving.
Ensuring they’re engaged safely will also help you get to tasks on your agenda so you can find pockets of time to turn your attention away from the person.
But since we know that it can be challenging to think of enough activities to keep them engaged throughout the day, we share some tips and guidelines below.
Try “failure-free” activities and tasks
Make a list of tasks that can’t really be done wrong, like sweeping, dusting, or folding clothes. For example, if your loved one sweeps the floor multiple times a day, would it really be a problem? Or, it can be a good idea to come up with a list of tasks that need to be done or create special tasks for your loved one like having a load of towels in the dryer that always need to be folded.
To boost doing tasks successfully on their own and productivity, place the “tools” a person needs to do the tasks and activities out in plain sight. Seeing the tools such as brooms and dustpans, dishrags in the kitchen, carpet sweepers and dustcloths in the living room, outdoor brooms near the patio, or a basket of socks to pair and fold can prompt the person to start the task on their own.
Match activities with the person’s preferences
What did your loved one like to do to stay busy? If they enjoyed cleaning, they may be best engaged with things around the house. Or if they worked in an office, they may find comfort in sorting mail or papers. If they were an outdoors enthusiast, they may enjoy filling bird feeders, sweeping the patios, or gardening.
Designate a safe, independent work area
Try setting up their own area to work near where you need to finish your own work. For example, if your loved one loves plants and gardening, set up a planting bench in a location where you can see it from your home office. Or set them up with a folding project where you can check on them. The primary goal of these activities is not perfection or even always completion, but boosting cognitive health, so having a designated work area makes it easier for tasks to be left out for another sitting later.
Memory exercises for dementia
Memory games can be an enjoyable way for your loved one to stay engaged. Simple matching card games, looking at old photo albums together, or playing word association games can spark joy and connection.
Crafts for people living with dementia
Creative activities like painting (even painting with just water), drawing, or simple crafts are excellent for fostering a sense of accomplishment. Choose crafts that are easy to set up and enjoyable, like making a collage, decorating picture frames, arranging flowers, or even reusable water painting pictures. Creative activities can be satisfying, an enjoyable way to express themselves, and beneficial for motor skills.
Sensory activities for dementia
Sensory activities provide stimulation and may help ease anxiety. Consider tactile materials like textured fabrics, sand, or scented play dough to engage their senses. Simple tools like making lavender sachets can be enjoyable to do together or done with minimal supervision.
Things to do with their hands to boost fine motor skills
Activities focusing on using their hands is a great way to maintain coordination and enhance fine motor skills. Activities like folding towels, sorting buttons or simple sewing can be soothing, too. These activities are great options for independent work.
Plan for success
Setting aside time at the start of each week to plan daily tasks can help. This proactive approach can bring peace of mind and ensure your loved one stays engaged in activities that make them feel involved and valued. It will also help boost positive moments of connection when you work together, and provide for more time to yourself when they are engaged or on their own.