How Music Can Help With Alzheimer’s Caregiving

As a caregiver for my mom over the last 10 years, I am always humbled when I receive the compliment, "You make it all look so easy," as if I possess some magical incantation that makes things appear so fabulous and fun.

However, as time went by, her early-onset Alzheimer's progressed to a point where she was frequently upset, irritated, and annoyed. Through it all, I continued my efforts to keep her happy and calm, and I eventually found what worked.

From one caregiver to another, I think we all know that nothing is further from the truth than the idea that this role is effortless. Caregiving is no picture-perfect fairytale.

The real challenges of Alzheimer's caregiving

Want to hear my confession as to why that is? Well, it's because caring for someone takes a lot of hard work. Yes, work. Sleeves up and elbow grease in, this is no easy feat.

When caring for a loved one, especially one with dementia, the many progressive changes that occur can be tremendously hard. These include changes not just to their memory, but also to their personality. This is a hard reality to accept for both the loved one with dementia (LOWD) and their caregiver.

As a caregiver myself, I have learned that understanding the cause of these changes can make the situation a bit more bearable.

Understanding behavioral changes and effective techniques

Causes of personality change can include aggravating factors such as sundowning, boredom, hunger, or pain. As the disease progresses, it may become increasingly difficult for the LOWD to communicate why they are acting differently, so understanding these factors can be a great tool when assessing how best to address them.

For example, along my own journey with Alzheimer's caregiving, my mom had always taken pride in her appearance and personal grooming; however, as the disease progressed, I found it more difficult to persuade her to continue in these activities. To overcome this challenge, I had to explore new caregiving techniques.

Using music for daily Alzheimer's care

After trying what seemed like everything to get my mom to take part in her grooming, music turned out to be the missing key to keeping her in a positive, engaged state. When people saw my mom, they would always compliment how calm she was, but little did they know that I had some great things happening behind the scenes of my caregiving.

Our magic came in the form of some great old-school R&B tunes!

The benefits of music therapy in dementia care

Alexa, play my mom's favorite song on repeat.

My mom prefers old-school R&B, and I have discovered that by playing specific songs, I can better control her moods, making interactions easier and more agreeable. The benefits of incorporating music into our routine have been life-changing for both of us.

Here's what I have streaming through her speakers to help manage daily tasks:

• For grooming in the morning and late at night: I play something light and fun for this task, which can be anything by the Jackson 5.
• For getting ready for bed: A nighttime guided meditative soundtrack always settles and relaxes my mom so she can sleep deeply.

So, my fellow caregivers, cue the mini dance party or the calm-down energy mode! Share below your own favorite musical techniques. Are you using music in your daily Alzheimer's caregiving routine? Tell us in the comments below, or share your story with the community.