Music Therapy for Dementia

Music Therapy for Dementia

Memory disorders with which music therapists work include-

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Vascular dementia
• Dementia with Lewy bodies
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Dementia caused by injury
• Mild cognitive impairment

The rhythmic component of music is very organized for the sensory systems of individuals diagnosed with Dementia. Because rhythm is structured and predictable, it is often used to improve an individual’s gait or walking stride.Rhythmic cueing can improve the rate of speech conversational skills can also enhance through musical conversation. Because music is processed in both hemispheres of the brain, music can stimulate cognitive functioning and may be used for remediation of some speech/ language skills.

Interventions-

• Rhythmic Speech cueing
• Oral Motor and Respiratory Exercises
• Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation
• Therapeutic Instrumental Music performance
• Musical Speech Stimulation
• Musical Attention Control Training
• Musical Sensory Orientation Training
• Musical Mnemonics Training
• Associative Mood and Memory Training