Music Therapy for Older Adults with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Written By Kate Kelly, MT-BC, RYT-200

If you’ve been around an older adult with memory loss or dementia, you have likely experienced that music can trigger memories. An individual may remember all the lyrics to a favorite children’s song but struggle with remembering the names of their family members. Songs during pivotal moments or developmental periods in our life stick with us and become ingrained into our memory, especially songs that are attached to a specific memory, emotion, or person. For these reasons, music can connect and ground individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other neurocognitive disorders related to memory loss. 

Music therapy may be beneficial for individuals with dementia in addressing several areas, such as personal identity, socialization, depression, anxiety, and agitation (Matziorinis & Koelsch, 2022). By tapping into the memories associated with familiar and preferred songs and styles of music, music therapy can provide opportunities where the individual feels safe and can reconnect with their identity (McDermott, Orrell, & Ridder, 2014). A study by Ridder et al. (2013) conducted 6 weeks of individual music therapy sessions involving interventions such as musical improvisation, active singing to familiar songs, dancing/movement, and other activities aimed towards engagement, self-expression, facilitating initiative, and mutual understanding. The results of the study found that the six weeks of individual music therapy significantly reduced average agitation in individuals with dementia.

Ridder et al., (2013) also encourages a person-centered approach to working with individuals with dementia and related diseases. This approach focuses on the flexibility to bring in music preferred by the individual, adapt to their current needs, and allow the person’s individuality to guide the therapeutic process. Here at Empower Music Therapy, we prioritize a person-centered approach with all individuals we work with, including older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s. We prioritize individuality, connecting to one’s humanity and identity, and quality of life in how we approach and care for those impacted by dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Kate Kelly, MT-BC, RYT-200

Hi there! I’m Kate Kelly, the proud owner and director of Empower Music Therapy, LLC. I’m a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC), singer-songwriter, and registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) in Nashville, Tennessee.

My journey in Nashville started at Belmont University, where I was a founding member of the music therapy program and was among the first graduating class of music therapy students in 2016. As a practicum student I worked with adolescents with behavioral challenges, children with disabilities, adults with mental illnesses, children with terminal illnesses, and individuals in hospice care. After my first experiences as a music therapy practitioner, I ventured to Costa Rica and acquired a 200-hour yoga teaching certification to better incorporate mindfulness and trauma-informed movement into music therapy sessions.

Following my time at Belmont, I began working at Tristar Centennial Parthenon Pavilion in Nashville. There I received further intensive music therapy training and worked with adolescents, adults, and older adults with mood disorders, thought disorders, chemical dependencies, memory loss, and chronic illnesses in both inpatient and outpatient settings for over 5 years.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I noticed an increased need for heath resources, safe places for self-expression, and inclusive communities for individuals with and without disabilities in the Nashville area. I felt that as a board-certified music therapist, I had a skill that could meet the needs of the world around me. I opened Empower Music Therapy and the rest is history! At our practice, I have a caseload of individuals of all ages with and without disabilities that I see individually and in groups. I also still provide mental health programming one day a week at Brightquest Treatment Centers, one of Empower’s community partners.

When I’m not seeing clients, I’m presenting at conferences, applying for grants, creating music therapy employee-enrichment programs, and expanding our practice. I absolutely love what I do! If you come to Empower for a session with Anna Laura or Maria, you will probably see me working at our clinic space. Feel free to come say hi! So glad you’re here.

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