Music and Memory
I was facilitating a group at a memory care center, and there was a man in it who had been silent throughout the group for weeks. He usually had his eyes closed while the other members sang. One day, I brought drums to hand out- they were Remo’s buffalo drums, which have a handle and a mallet. This man was playing his drum with one mallet when he suddenly reached over and took the mallet from his neighbor. He started playing a military drum cadence with two mallets on the drum on his lap. When we finished the drumming as a group, I sat next to him and he told me about his service in the army. It was the first time he’d spoken in the group in two months!
Musical memory seems to function differently than other types of memory, and singing can stimulate these memories- if one has shared their wedding song, for example, this can bring back a time of happiness.
It remains important to include preferred music styles or artists in the intake forms of residential centers, because individualized music is the most useful in any settings.
Singing along to preferred music is a great way to build connections and relationship with a patient- families should be encouraged to do this, as well. There is a soothing rhythmic predictability, and singing means you’re breathing in a way that will relax you. Singing familiar songs together can evoke comforting memories and reduce isolation, while recalling words from long ago.
Music can also decrease agitation during ADLs and daily transitions. Singing while someone is walking to the shower or to a meal can distract from their discomfort with an unfamiliar setting or experience.
When using music listening, we want to avoid overstimulating the auditory systems of patients. Be sure the music is loud enough for patients to hear, but isn’t heard by the whole floor - if the patient is listening alone, close the door. Turn the TV off so there aren’t competing sounds. And be sure they’re listening on a device that won’t have commercial interruptions- that can cause confusion. Headphones are often used by facilities who work with the Music & Memory IPod program, but patients shouldn’t be wearing headphones or earbuds all day- this can damage hearing, but it can also just isolate patients further.
Drumming groups that focus on the rhythm of our hearts work with entrainment, where your central nervous system is activated through the predictability of a repetitive rhythm. The time sequence creates expectation in your brain that decreases tension, and group members are motivated to drum- a motor activity! Participating in music-making groups can help residents reduce pain, increase their range of motion, lower their blood pressure, and improve flexibility and coordination.
More research is necessary to explore the relationship of music to memory. We know that currently, Alzheimer’s Disease is not curable- music is not going to “solve” the problem of memory loss. But it can bring families together for a time, and reduce agitation. This can create joyful moments in an otherwise challenging setting.