Family members often notice how a familiar song can bring a smile, a hum, or even an emotional connection in someone living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, long after words and usual routines have faded. At Livewell Estates, we see this every day in our Alzheimer’s and dementia care facility, where music is more than entertainment, it is a tool that supports emotional wellbeing, reduces anxiety, and strengthens connection.
There is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of music as a non-pharmacological intervention in dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Research shows that music interventions can reduce anxiety, uplift mood, and even engage parts of the brain less affected by memory decline. In clinical studies, music therapy has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety symptoms in people living with dementia, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, offering a calming effect without medication. These effects are observed both with live music and with pre-recorded music that resonates with the person’s preferences and history.
The effect of music on the brain
One reason music has such a powerful effect relates to how the brain processes sound. The networks involved in musical memory are often partly preserved even as Alzheimer’s progresses, allowing individuals to respond to familiar melodies, rhythms, and lyrics long after other types of memory have diminished. This emotional memory. the connection between music and life experiences, can trigger positive recall and reduce stress and tension.
Listening to familiar music can evoke autobiographical memories, transporting someone back to moments linked to those songs. These “music-evoked autobiographical memories” often carry strong emotional significance, helping residents in an Alzheimer’s facility feel more grounded, more present, and more connected to their own story. This is one reason why personalised music playlists, tailored to an individual’s life, culture, and past experiences, are considered one of the most effective approaches in music-based interventions for dementia and Alzheimer’s care.
Research also suggests that music does more than simply soothe. Music programmes can improve mood and reduce behavioural symptoms such as agitation and apathy in people living with dementia. While formal evidence on memory improvement is mixed, many studies indicate that emotional and behavioural benefits are real and meaningful, especially when music is used intentionally within dementia care settings.
Music in Alzheimer’s facilities
In an Alzheimer’s facility, these findings translate into everyday care practices that prioritise emotional comfort. At Livewell, carers incorporate music into daily routines in thoughtful ways — whether it’s starting the day with a resident’s favourite song, offering calming melodies during rest periods, or using rhythmic music to support movement and social engagement. Music becomes a bridge to emotion and memory, making moments of joy and connection possible even when other forms of communication are challenging.
Importantly, the calming effect of familiar music can also reduce anxiety. Strong emotions often accompany dementia, and as cognitive function changes, some individuals may experience restlessness, distress, or unease. Music’s ability to engage the limbic system, the part of the brain involved in emotion, can help soothe these responses, creating a sense of safety and reassurance. This calming impact is supported by clinical research showing reduced anxiety and behavioural symptoms following music-based interventions, particularly when the music reflects personal preferences and familiar sounds from earlier life.
For families, seeing a loved one respond emotionally to music can be one of the most hopeful experiences in Alzheimer’s care. It reminds us that while cognitive functions may change, the capacity for emotional connection remains. Familiar music can break through confusion, stimulate engagement, and bring moments of clarity or joy — experiences that are deeply meaningful for both residents and their families.
At Livewell’s Alzheimer’s facility, music is used with intention and care. It is not simply background noise, but a purposeful part of a holistic approach that honours each person’s emotional life, supports wellbeing, and enhances quality of life. By combining research-guided practices with personalised dementia and Alzheimer’s care, we help our residents experience comfort, connection, and moments of joy — one familiar melody at a time.