"Meeting the Needs of People
with Dementia Through Music
Therapy"
Becky Dowson
Talk Outline
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General introduction to music therapy
More detailed description of music therapy
with people with dementia
Case study with video extracts
Conclusions
My background
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Trained as a music therapist at Anglia Ruskin
University.
Now work freelance for Guideposts Trust –
the majority of my work is with people who
have dementia.
Music Therapy in the UK
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Music therapy training in the UK is a Master's
course (2 years full-time).
Music therapists register with the Health and
Care Professions Council.
Music therapists work under supervision and
practice CPD.
What is Music Therapy?
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Music therapy is a psychological intervention
which uses a variety of different types of
music to draw the client into shared musicmaking, with therapeutic aims in mind.
Both improvised music and pre-composed
music are used.
No need for the client to think themselves
“musical”
Client Groups
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Adults and children with learning disabilities
or autistic spectrum disorders
People with mental health problems
Children/young people with EBD
People with neurological conditions (e.g. TBI
and stroke)
People with dementia
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“With this whole client group what I have
experienced is contact with that healthy
side...with the cohesive side... rather than
with the 'affected' side... I believe that the
core of the human being is there and is
unaffected – because that is what I am
working with; this core of humanity can be
contacted in this positive creative way... The
music offers a place where the whole of the
person can be integrated.” (from “Intimate
Notes” by Mercedes Pavlicevic)
Music Therapy with People
with Dementia
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A way of making contact with people with
dementia through a medium which still
makes sense to them.
Music therapy can help fulfil the needs of
people with dementia outlined by Tom
Kitwood.
Music Therapy Groups
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Risk of isolation increased for people whose
communication skills are impaired.
Music therapy groups offer opportunity to
use non-verbal communication.
Chance to build new relationships with other
group members, and strengthen existing
relationships.
Familiar Music
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Well-known songs and pieces often seems to
provide a moment of clarity and focus to a
person with dementia.
Music often prompts reminiscences.
Listening to familiar music can be a highly
emotional experience.
Improvised Music
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Gives clients the opportunity to anticipate
and create new music alongside the
therapist.
Can be a very empowering experience.
A medium for self-expression and a chance
to discover new musical abilities.
Previous Musical Experience
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Music therapy can give clients who have
loved music or been musicians the chance to
engage with music in a different way.
Can be especially helpful if the client has lost
the physical ability or the opportunity to
express themselves musically.
Some people have great sadness
surrounding the abilities they have lost.
Case Study
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Brian, a man in his 80s who has mild
dementia.
Has been having weekly individual music
therapy with me for four months.
Extract 1
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“Somewhere”
Extract 2
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“I believe”
Extract 3
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“La Donna e Mobile” - cymbal and drums
Extract 4
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Improvisation with drum, cymbal and piano
Summary of Case Study
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Music therapy gives Brian a chance to affirm
his identity as a singer.
It has also given him the opportunity to
develop other parts of his musical
personality.
The therapeutic relationship is important in
helping Brian feel secure enough to sing,
play and express himself.
Closing Thoughts
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What makes music therapy an especially
suitable intervention for people with
dementia?
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It is tailored to each client's unique needs
As dementia progresses, music therapy can
change and adapt
It offers an opportunity for communication that
does not depend on words
It can help people to form new relationships and
maintain old ones.