Before discussing music therapy, let's take a look at the different types of dementia.
Dementia is, essentially, a group of brain disorders that affect language, memory, decision-making, and daily functioning.
Alzheimer's Disease: This is the most common type of dementia (64% of cases). It is a degenerative disorder that, over time, destroys brain cells and the connections between them. This develops into confusion, mood changes, and difficulties speaking or walking.
Vascular Dementia: This is the second most common type of dementia (16%). It is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain either from age, disease, or stroke. It begins with confusion and disorientation, and develops into challenges completing tasks and concentrating.
Lewy Body Dementia: This is the third most common type of dementia (15%). Lewy bodies are protein deposits inside nerve cells that disrupt how the brain sends messages to other areas of the brain and body; this leads to memory loss and feeling disoriented. This can develop into visual hallucinations, trouble sleeping, fainting, trembling hands, and difficulty walking.
Frontotemporal Dementia: Only about 2% of dementia cases are frontotemporal, a word meaning it affects the front and sides of the brain. This is where your brain controls language and behaviors, so this can develop into compulsive behaviors, loss of inhibition, forgetting common words, loss of motivation, and speech problems. This type of dementia is not well suited for music therapy; it is suggested that clients lose their ability to connect with music when these parts of the brain are severely affected.
Other: There are several other types of dementia, but they are much less common (3%). Sometimes dementia can be caused by drugs and alcohol, which is potentially reversible. Others stem from rare health conditions. Some people have mixed dementia, which is a diagnosis of two or more types. This is actually very common, and most people will present with a combination of vascular dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Dementia can also be caused by other diseases or conditions. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and HIV can all develop into dementia in their later stages.
The Early Signs of Dementia:
- Depression
- Listlessness
- Lack of Concentration
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Loss of Interest in Things
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Social Withdrawal
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Music TherapyandDementia
Music therapy provides opportunities for clients to interact with others (the
therapist,
other group members, or caregivers) and for social intimacy when spouses or family
are
present.
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More
Often for older adults music
therapy
is in a
group setting among their peers; making music together can provide a sense of
community.
For later stages of dementia more individualized care may be needed and music
therapy can provide a space for social interaction. It can also be used to
promote
family relationships and facilitate healthy grieving, reminiscence, and
meaningful
interaction, especially as the client reaches a need for end of life care.
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Music alone is able to evoke emotional responses even in those with late-stage
dementia.
Music therapy can do this, too, but can also lead to positive changes in mood and
emotional
states.
Read
More A music therapist is better
equipped
to facilitate these changes in mood and emotion than a performer, and is there
for
hands-on care, unlike with the use of recorded music in facilities.
Music is a powerful tool which has potential for harm; this is why music therapy
is
different from "music as therapy." A music therapist is able to mitigate harm
and
navigate challenging emotional changes evoked by music.
Particularly with
dementia,
it can be difficult to anticipate how someone might react to music. It may take
the
client into a different time and place in their mind, uncover long-forgotten
memories, or be a source of great joy. This is why seeking a certified music
therapist is important.
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Active music playing, common in music therapy sessions, helps to improve motor
skills
and
range of motion. It also activates the cerebellum, the part of the brain that
controls
your
equillibrium and balance.
Read MoreFor those
who
can do so safely, music therapy sometimes leads to dancing. Other forms of
movement,
such as stretching, seated dancing, clapping, and foot tapping are generally
encouraged. Movement is very easily incorporated into music therapy, with or
without the use of instruments.
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Music involves the entire brain. Long-term memories are stored in the hippocampus.
When this
is activated with music it triggers those memories.
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Memories
can also be explored through song writing; this may
be less common among clients with dementia, but it serves as a way to create a
musical legacy (songs and recordings for the family to keep).
Sometimes, those who no longer speak can
still sing along to music from their childhoods. Many people say that music is
the
last
thing to go.
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Music therapy is a non-pharmacological (drug free) form of pain management. Music
promotes
slower rhythmic breathing, relaxation, and a sense of well-being while making pain
less
sharp or intense.
Read More There
have been many
studies about the effects of music on pain and how it reduces the need for
pharmaceutical interventions.
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