The Role of Music in the Lives of Older Adults With Dementia Ageing in Place: A Scoping Review

Journal

Dementia (London)

Year

2018

Abstract

The number of people around the world living with dementia is predicted to rise from 44 million to 135 million by 2050. Traditional treatments for dementia have been largely unsuccessful and prompted the emergence of alternative strategies. Music is emerging as an effective therapeutic strategy for older adults with dementia however, most of the work to date has focused on institutions. The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize what is known about the role and impact that music plays in the lives of community-dwelling older adults with dementia. Using a five-stage framework for conducting a scoping review, analysis revealed three ways in which music influences the lives of community-dwelling older adults with dementia: (a) reduced agitation, (b) improved cognition, and (c) enhanced social well-being. The concept of personhood provided a lens with which to conceptualize the findings and highlights the need for continued research.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Calmness; Cognitive Abilities; Elderly; Engagement Level; Music Listening; Music Medicine; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Quality of LIfe; Recorded Music Listening

Indexed Terms

Elderly; Aging; Cognition; Dementia; Independent Living; Interpersonal Relations; Psychomotor Agitation; Quality of Life; ageing in place; community; dementia; older adults

Study Type

Editorials, Opinions, Position Papers

PubMed ID

26993049

Document Type

Article

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