How Does Music Therapy Benefit Memory Care Patients

When your loved one is in a memory care program, it’s understandable that you’d want to know all you can about their care. Here at the Mission at Agua Fria, we provide a well-rounded program to patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s. This includes many artistic, emotionally beneficial therapies. Read on below to see why music therapy is such a beneficial part of memory care in Peoria.

How Memory Loss Affects Patients and Their Loved Ones

Memory loss can unfortunately put a strain on relationships. These diseases make communication more difficult, which is hard for both caregivers and loved ones. These conditions also have a negative impact on people’s moods, which doesn’t help make communication any easier. Music therapy can help to keep those meaningful bonds.

Why Music Is So Important

Most individuals have very emotional connections and significant memories attached to music. Diseases like dementia can make patients forget important information about their lives, and unable to recognize those closest to them. As studies and research have shown, the connections formed with music are so strong, they remain rooted in the brain. Music awakens the senses and stimulates certain hormones. While listening to music, patients have been shown to conjure up old memories, create an emotional response, and generally boost cognitive abilities. More of the specific areas music therapy can help with include:

• In memory care, regular music therapy can really help to boost a patient’s mood. Hearing a favorite song from childhood can be a great comfort that makes someone smile. For these reasons, music therapy is also part of many types of care, such as for those with depression and anxiety. Almost everyone has used music as a way to relax, focus, or be happier.
• Music can also bring back memories of movements. Not only that, but it encourages movement, often automatically. This was shown in a viral video of a former ballerina with Alzheimer’s dancing as she listened to Swan Lake.
• Because of these incredibly emotional connections people form with music, this therapy can greatly benefit relationships between patients and their loved ones. After all, the strong memories associated with certain meaningful tunes are often shared by family and friends.

How Loved Ones Can Help Make Music Therapy Most Beneficial for Memory Care

A memory care program will employ licensed, expert music therapists. In order to help them get the best results, loved ones can let them know about the different songs and pieces of music that are especially meaningful for the patient. In addition to specific pieces that may be especially powerful, you can suggest music based on the time period when your loved one was young. Also let them know if your loved one ever played an instrument, had a favorite genre or artist or used to perform a certain kind of dancing.

How Music Therapy Benefits Spending the Holidays With Loved Ones in Memory Care

With the holidays coming up, you can see the benefits of music therapy while visiting your loved ones in memory care in Peoria. This time of year is filled with pieces of music that come with special meanings and memories. When visiting a loved one, playing these songs can bring the whole family together. Here at the Mission at Agua Fria, our memory care in Peoria, Arizona, benefits both residents and their loved ones. Family support services are even included in our many amenities. So, you can look forward to spending the holidays with your loved ones in memory care. You can find more information about The Mission at Agua Fria and the benefits of the memory care we provide here in Peoria on our website.