Music Therapy and Older Adults: Memory
Sometimes when I ask a client if they know a song by its title, I might get a confused expression and a “no.” However, I find myself smiling when the client starts singing along once they hear the song playing.
Many people are familiar with the idea that music is of great benefit to older adults, but are not quite sure why. While we will not go deep into the science of this topic today, I wanted to share information I have discovered through my studies and clinical experience regarding why music has such a great effect on older adults.
Music is strongly attached to memory. Songs can help us remember lists, instructions, and other factual information that we might have otherwise forgotten. As a child, we learn the ABCs through a song. As an adult, we remember the name of that insurance company we saw on TV through their catchy, albeit a bit annoying, jingle. This is called semantic memory and consists of recalling general knowledge and information. Music also helps us remember specific events, episodic memory, that we have experienced. These events might include a parent singing a lullaby to us when we are sick, a fun night out with friends, or a hymn played at a loved one’s funeral.
Although the details of the events may diminish, the emotion connected with the memory stays strong. We remember feeling loved when our parent sang to us, excited when out with friends, and sorrow when mourning our loved one. Research shows that people generally connect most with the music they listened to as a teenager and young adult. This makes sense, because it is during this time in our life where we often feel the most intense emotions due to biological and social factors. In addition, this is a time in our lives where we are developing our personal identity and framing in our minds who we are as individuals. The music that we listen to as teens and young adults will likely be our favorite music for the rest of our lives.
Because a significant amount of older adults experience some degree of memory loss, music is a wonderful medium in which to provide opportunities for memory recall, social connection, and emotional expression. Music therapy sessions can include interventions in which clients are asked to fill-in-the-blanks of a familiar song lyric, or play back a rhythm on an instrument they heard another group member play. For individuals in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease who may no longer be regularly interacting with their external environment, music therapy can provide a means of connection to the music, the music therapist, and caregivers.
For more information about music therapy and how it might benefit someone you know with dementia, feel free to contact us.
