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Music is often treated as background noise but for people living with dementia it can be a lifeline to memories emotions and relationships. This paper by Clements Cortes and colleagues that I read looks at how music can be used more thoughtfully in dementia care and what needs to change in research design and practice so that music becomes a normal part of everyday life rather than an occasional extra.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
This study explores how music can better support people living with dementia now and into the future not just as therapy but as a basic cultural right. The researchers formed an international community of practice to imagine what high quality music in dementia care should look like and where research and innovation need to go next. From their discussions and analysis they identified six big themes that link the science of music and the brain with everyday care technology ethics participation and real world implementation. Together these themes argue for dementia care that treats music as part of ordinary life woven into environments relationships and systems rather than an add on activity.
The Key Findings
The first theme focuses on music mind and body and shows that music can connect brain regions involved in hearing movement and reward supporting mood attention and rhythmic movement such as walking or dancing. The second theme looks at social isolation and connection and highlights how musical memory often remains strong even in advanced dementia making music a powerful way to maintain relationships without relying only on words. The third theme is music technologies which includes streaming platforms apps virtual reality and simple devices designed with older adults so they can access meaningful music more easily. The final three themes are more about ethics and systems creativity cultural rights and participation involving people with dementia in research and real world implementation and sustainability so that music based approaches are safe well designed and can last over time.
Why Does This Matter for Dementia Inclusive Design?
The core idea is that music is a flexible tool that can support brain health emotions and social life when it is used intentionally and respectfully. It works best when people are involved in decisions about what music they hear how and where they experience it and when it fits their culture history and daily routines. Technology can help but only if interfaces are simple and co designed with older people and if staff volunteers and families are supported to use it well. Most importantly music in care should not be only about managing behaviour but about joy identity connection and everyday life.
What Can You Take Away? Implementation and Action
In practice this means designing care homes hospitals community centres and public places so that meaningful music can be used easily and safely. Spaces might include quiet areas for focused listening rooms that support small group singing and layouts that allow safe movement with music for example walking in time to a beat. Services need training programs so staff and volunteers understand both dementia and music use and they need policies that fund non drug approaches not just medical tasks. Co-design is crucial including people with dementia in decisions about sound systems playlists technology and routines and checking regularly that consent and comfort are maintained as their needs change
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The Critical Messages
Music in dementia care is most powerful when it is treated as part of being human not just as treatment and when environments systems and technologies are all designed to let people lead their own musical lives.
Reference
Clements-Cortés, A., Bryan, A., Faber, S., Forde, L., Hepdogan, D., Wang, Z., ... & Sixsmith, A. (2026). Music and dementia care: Future directions for research and innovation. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports, 10, https://doi.org/10.1177/25424823251415163
Want to learn more about dementia-inclusive environmental design? Explore our Resource Hub for practical examples and current research on creating supportive home and care environments: https://design.dementia.utas.edu.au/page/512/for-educators