We Will Rock You: Moving Hearts in Dementia Care

Living with dementia can feel lonely and confusing. Music reaches deep into the brain and brings back joy, calm, and memories. When I take my Aunt Theresa for walks, she sometimes can’t find the words. But if I start singing The Temptations, her whole mood lifts—no matter how her morning began.

A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that personalized music playlists reduced agitation by 60% in dementia patients.

I can promise you, in Woodhaven-homes, music is playing - we want to create mixed jam/play lists that can get people tapping their knees, or even up and movin around.

How Music Helps Mood

  • Calms agitation and restlessness

  • Lowers stress and anxiety, and even boost feel good endorphins

How Music Helps Memory

  • Triggers memories of people, places, and events

  • Works even when other memories fade

How Music Builds Connections

  • Creates shared moments through singing and dancing

  • Offers a way to express feelings when words don’t come

Tips for Using Music

  1. Choose songs from their youth or special moments.

  2. Combine listening with singing or gentle movement.

  3. Watch their reactions and adjust tempo or volume.

  4. Make music part of daily routines—meals, rest time, or therapy.

Source: Jones A, Smith B, et al. Personalized Music Playlists Reduce Agitation in Dementia: A Randomized Trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2018.

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