While music therapy services can have numerous benefits for both caregivers and care recipients, access to a music therapist may not be readily available to everyone. While the education and training of a music therapist provide a higher level of benefit, this does not mean that caregivers cannot involve music in the everyday lives of their loved ones. Research has revealed ways that caregivers can use music effectively during everyday caregiving situations. While much of this research focuses on individuals with dementia, these methods can still have value for those with other diagnoses or caregiving circumstances. Below, we will explore some ways that music can enhance the caregiving experience.

Singing (Music Therapeutic Caregiving)

For caregivers of individuals with dementia, singing can be a positive addition to everyday caregiving tasks. Music therapeutic caregiving (MTC) refers to when caregivers sing for or together with their care recipients during caring situations in order reduce the psychological and behavioral symptoms of dementia. One research study revealed numerous positive effects of MTC when used during morning care routines.

For the care recipient, MTC:

  • Prompted them to initiate communication and express themselves
  • Allowed for better understanding of tasks as caregivers sang instructions
  • Helped them focus on the task
  • Reduced resistance to being cared for 

For both the caregiver and care recipient, MTC:

  • Awakened mutual communication, even though fewer words/demands were spoken
  • Encouraged face to face communication, such as eye contact
  • Created a more relaxed atmosphere
  • Increased feelings of closeness
  • Prompted laughter and feelings of happiness

As demonstrated by this study, singing in caregiving can have benefits for the caregiver and care recipient alike. Fortunately, one does not need to have any vocal talent to sing to/with their loved ones and see powerful results. 

Person-Centered Caregiver Singing

If desired, caregivers can consult with a music therapist to help them find the most effective manner of singing. Person-Centered Caregiver Singing (PCCS) involves singing in a manner that uses rhythm, tone, volume, tempo, and emotion in the voice to best support communication and connection between caregiver and recipient. Researchers have found that caregivers who receive PCCS training find it to be helpful in improving the wellbeing of the individuals with dementia, as well as improving their own caregiving capabilities and the care environment. 

Whether facilitated by a music therapist or the caregiver themselves, singing can be an effective supplement to everyday caregiving situations.

Music Listening 

Music listening can provide a positive experience for individuals with dementia. While music may certainly provide entertainment, it can also be carefully chosen to address the specific needs of the listener. To help caregivers choose the best music, Dr. Sandra Garrido and her colleagues created Music Playlists For People With Dementia: A Guide for Carers, Health Workers, and Family. Some suggestions from the guide include the following: 

  • Music should be selected based on the individual’s preferences.
  • For individuals who are at risk for negative responses to music, the selected music should be “happy,” with a moderate tempo (speed) and positive lyrics.
  • The tempo of the music should match the particular needs of the individual. For example, if the individual is having problems sleeping, slower music is the best choice.

The guide can help caregivers select music and create playlists for their loved ones that will best address their needs. As a result of listening to music selected according to the guide, the following positive results have been observed in individuals with dementia: 

  • Increased levels of interest, involvement, responsiveness, and enjoyment
  • Increased likelihood of initiating conversations with caregivers
  • Improved mood

Music Activities

Professional music therapists have provided several ideas for music activities that caregivers can do with their loved ones. Some examples include: 

  • Listening to personalized musical selections and discussing memories and feelings elicited by the music
  • Listening to a musical selection and discussing it
  • Engaging in gentle movement/exercise to music
  • Drawing and/or discussing images associated with music
  • Listening to an unfamiliar piece and using art or words to describe it
  • Singing, playing instruments, or improvising along with music
  • Applying music to specific needs, such as for sleep, relaxation, recreation, or distraction from unpleasant activities of daily living

Research has shown that the above-mentioned music activities can be effective in increasing levels of relaxation, happiness, and comfort in both the caregivers and care recipients. Caregivers have reported positive effects of the music activities for their loved ones, including:

  • Increased relaxation
  • Increased reminiscence
  • Increased movement
  • Enjoyment of familiar songs

Negative Responses to Music

While music activities and involvement can provide a positive experience for many, it is important to note that not all individuals will respond well to music. In particular, individuals with Alzheimer’s type dementia, higher rates of cognitive decline, and/or a history of mental illness are more likely to have adverse reactions to music. Some possible negative effects of music may include:

  • Overstimulation
  • Emotional flooding, a very strong emotional reaction
  • Triggering of distressing memories

When engaging in music activities with loved ones, it is important that caregivers carefully watch and remain alert to any negative responses. Outside of the music itself, the environment, time of day, and physical needs of the individual may impact how they respond to music. When these factors are accounted for and properly addressed, caregivers will be able to create the most beneficial experience for their loved ones. 

Working with a Music Therapist

If you are not sure how best to incorporate music into your caregiving tasks, consider working with a music therapist for ideas. Professional music therapists are trained to choose music interventions that best address the needs of their clients. They can help you determine which music methods will benefit your loved one and how you can implement them at home. A music therapist can also train you in music-based interventions that can help with managing challenging behaviors during daily care, strengthening your relationship with your loved one and helping you to handle difficult situations. 

An Example from Research

An example of the benefits of working with a music therapist can be found in a 2023 research study. Family caregivers of individuals with dementia worked with music therapists to develop music activities that the caregivers could lead themselves. Based on the needs and preferences of each individual, the music therapists helped the caregivers create personalized playlists of favorite music and suggested music activities (listening, moving/dancing to music, singing, etc.) that would best address those needs. Additional meetings with the music therapist allowed for professional feedback to be shared with the caregivers, helping them refine their methods as needed. The positive results reported by the caregivers demonstrate the value in working with a professional music therapist to determine the how music can best address the needs of individuals with dementia.

 

References

Garrido, S., Dunne, L., Stevens, C. J., Chang, E., & Clements-Cortes, A. (2020). Music Playlists for People with Dementia: Trialing A Guide for Caregivers. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 77(1), 219–226. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-200457 

Hammar, L. M., Emami, A., Engström, G., & Götell, E. (2011). Finding the key to communion - Caregivers’ experience of ‘music therapeutic caregiving’ in dementia care: A qualitative analysis. Dementia (14713012), 10(1), 98–111. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301210392994 

Hanser, S. B., Butterfield-Whitcomb, J., Kawata, M., & Collins, B. E. (2011). Home-based music strategies with individuals who have dementia and their family caregivers. Journal of Music Therapy, 48(1), 2–27. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/48.1.2

Mercadal-Brotons, M., Pulice, G., Martí, P., De Castro, M., & Vernet, M. (2024). Online support program for the use of music-based resources for daily care for families living with dementia. Music Therapy Perspectives, 42(1), 18–27. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miad029

Stuart‐Röhm, K., Clark, I. N., & Baker, F. A. (2024). Person‐centred caregiver singing for people living with dementia in South Africa: A mixed methods evaluation of acceptability, feasibility, and professional caregivers' experiences. Health Expectations, 27(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13915

Thurn, T., Voigt, M., & Wosch, T. (2021). Pilot study of a modular music intervention: A first evaluation of the use of basic elements of music to support interaction between family caregivers and their relatives with dementia. Australian Journal of Music Therapy, 32(2), 1–25.