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Some moments remind us just how powerful music can be.
John (name changed for privacy) lives with Alzheimer’s disease (a type of dementia) and attends one of our centres each week. He experiences short-term memory loss, difficulty expressing himself, and periods of anxiety. Before his diagnosis, he loved music and enjoyed playing harmonica.
One morning, as I arrived at the centre, I found John wandering alone in the garden. He looked distressed and unsettled. Rather than rushing him back inside, we took a moment together. We sat, talked, acknowledged how he was feeling, and then listened to some of his favourite music. Something beautiful happened. His breathing slowed, and his shoulders relaxed. He began sharing stories about his working life, his love of music, and memories that had been tucked away. Before long, he reached for his harmonica and started playing along with the familiar songs.
As the music continued, so did the smiles. With gentle encouragement, John also participated in a range of music-based cognitive activities that supported his attention, memory, and thinking skills. Most importantly, he was engaged, confident, and enjoying himself. At the end of the session, John smiled and said, “I really enjoyed that, thank you”.
Moments like these remind us that music therapy is far more than simply listening to music. It creates meaningful opportunities for connection, self-expression, emotional support, and cognitive engagement even when words are difficult to find.
Sometimes, all it takes is a familiar melody to help someone feel seen, heard, and like themselves again.
What Is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is a research-based allied health profession that uses music intentionally to improve health, well-being, and everyday functioning. Registered Music Therapists complete specialised university training and are registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA). They are bound by professional standards and ethics and have extensive knowledge of how music influences the brain, behaviour, cognition, movement, and emotions.
Music therapy is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. No musical experience is required. Sessions may be delivered individually or in groups and are designed to meet each person’s therapeutic goals.
Why Is Music So Powerful?
Unlike many other experiences, music is processed across multiple regions of the brain. Even when Dementia affects areas responsible for memory and language, the brain’s ability to recognise and respond to familiar music can remain relatively preserved.
Familiar music activates areas involved in:
- Long-term memory
- Emotional processing
- Reward and motivation
- Auditory recognition
- Movement and rhythm
Because music is closely linked with emotion and memory, familiar songs can evoke personal memories, feelings, and life experiences. Musical abilities such as singing familiar lyrics or following a rhythm may remain accessible even when other forms of memory decline, providing natural cues for recall, attention, and movement.
Challenges Experienced by People Living with Dementia
People living with Dementia may experience changes in memory, communication, mood, behaviour, and physical functioning. These changes, including cognitive decline, can affect their ability to express themselves, maintain attention, participate socially, and engage in everyday activities.
How Music Therapy Helps
Music therapy addresses these challenges through meaningful, evidence-based interventions tailored to each individual. After several years of working with people living with Dementia, one principle has consistently stood out:
The right music inspires motivation.
Familiar music is often the first point of connection. It feels safe, meaningful, and personally significant. It captures attention, reduces resistance, and encourages participation. When people hear music that is important to them, they naturally become more willing to engage.
Motivation Leads to Engagement
Once motivation is activated, music provides a pathway for people to participate more fully in therapeutic activities
Engagement Leads to Therapeutic Outcomes
When engagement is sustained over time, we commonly observe meaningful therapeutic benefits, including:
- Improved attention, memory, and cognitive functioning
- Increased emotional expression and communication
- Reduced anxiety and behavioural distress
- Greater social connection and confidence
- Improved participation in meaningful activities and movement
More Than Just Listening to Music
Music therapy is much more than playing songs in the background. It is an evidence-based allied health intervention where music is intentionally used to support therapeutic goals tailored to each individual.
For people living with Dementia, music can become a bridge to memory, communication, identity, movement, and emotional well-being.
Through meaningful musical experiences, music therapy helps individuals remain connected with themselves and others, while creating opportunities for joy, confidence, and purpose throughout their journey.
Facebook: https://alzheimersonline.org/aq-health/
Phone: 1800 692 743
Email: aqhealth@alzqld.org.au
Supporting References
- Janata, P. (2009). The neural architecture of music-evoked autobiographical memories. Cerebral Cortex, 19(11), 2579–2594.
- Bleibel, M., et al. (2023). The effect of music therapy on cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, 15, 65.
- Li, Y., et al. (2023). Does music intervention improve anxiety in dementia patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Wang, J., et al. (2025). Efficacy of music therapy as a non-pharmacological measure to support Alzheimer’s disease patients: A systematic review. BMC Geriatrics.
- Australian Music Therapy Association. (n.d.). What is a Registered Music Therapist?
