“Alive inside”: This is the name of a documentary film that shows how music affects people with dementia. “I can’t remember anymore,” a 90-year-old woman answers when asked what her life was like. “I’ve forgotten so much. I’m sorry.” But just a short time later, the memories and stories just bubble up out of her. The woman now has headphones on and is listening to music by Louis Armstrong. The documentary is from 2014 and is very touching.
The power of music in Alzheimer’s and other dementias has now been scientifically proven. “It has been shown that music therapy can improve cognitive abilities in people with dementia,” write the authors of a summary analysis of eight studies published in 2020. The perceived quality of life of those affected also improved immediately after the intervention, as did long-term depression. Listening to music was the most effective, but singing also helps, according to the analysis.
They sing along to old songs that they know from their childhood and suddenly they know the lyrics. That is really fascinating.
Ulrike, musician
In a study published in 2024, another team of researchers focused solely on the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s: The result suggests that treatment with music therapy improves the brain performance of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, it concluded in the summary analysis of eleven studies. Brain performance in general, speech, orientation and memory all benefited. According to another meta-study, music therapy can also help people with dementia to combat restlessness. The team evaluated twelve specialist articles and presented the results in the journal “Frontiers of Psychology”.
Workshops for amateur musicians
The findings have long since been put into practice, for example by the North Bavarian Music Association (NBMB). The association organizes participatory concerts for people with dementia in the “A Song for You” project. “At our concerts, there were people in the audience who seemed to no longer react to anything. When they sing well-known songs that they know from their childhood, or even Christmas carols, they sing along and suddenly they know the lyrics. That is really fascinating,” reports musician Ulrike, who regularly plays in senior centers with her amateur ensemble.
139
Million According to WHO forecasts, people will suffer from dementia in 2050. Currently, the number is around 55 million.
Hobby musicians who would like to bring music to care facilities can take part in workshops at the NBMB, which is based in Unterpleichfeld near Würzburg. Together with the Technical University of Würzburg-Schweinfurt, the NBMB has also developed a guide for digital music offerings.
What else can be done against dementia
The support services are important, not least because the number of people suffering from dementia is increasing worldwide. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), 55 million people currently suffer from dementia. By 2030, the number will be 78 million, and 20 years later, it will be 139 million, the organization estimates. Although dementia is considered a disease of old age, it does not only affect older people. According to the WHO, the disease occurs in up to nine percent of cases before the age of 65.
While dementia was previously considered almost inevitable in many cases, there is now increasing evidence that the disease can often be prevented or at least delayed. Risk factors for dementia include lack of physical activity, obesity and diabetes, smoking and alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, social isolation, depression, low education, brain injuries, hearing loss and air pollution.
The so-called Lancet Commission on Dementia, a group of scientists who research the topic of dementia, recently caused a stir with a new assessment. According to the international team, 45 percent of all dementia cases could be prevented or delayed. In addition to the twelve potentially preventable risk factors mentioned, the commission also listed two new ones: treating impending vision loss and high cholesterol levels can also prevent dementia.
Dementia is an umbrella term for several diseases that affect memory, cognitive abilities and behavior. Alzheimer’s is the most common form. According to the WHO, it accounts for 60 to 70 percent of all dementia cases.
World Alzheimer’s Day on Saturday, September 21, is intended to draw attention to the needs of Alzheimer’s patients. On this day, events such as lectures and benefit concerts will take place in many cities and towns. According to the German Alzheimer’s Society (Berlin), there are 1.8 million people suffering from dementia in Germany alone. “Even if a cure for the disease is not currently possible, the sick and their families can be helped through medical treatment, advice, social care, expert nursing and much more,” says the society. Music is considered the “royal road” to dementia sufferers. (dpa)
