Dementia, music, and fields of care

Abstract

ABSTRACT The number of elderly people is rising in many countries and a marked increase in people susceptible to dementia can be expected. Research in the field of arts and health shows that culture and art can have a positive effect for dementia sufferers. The author takes his starting point in earlier research in this field and shows that systematic use of biographically adapted music and song can have a positive effect for dementia sufferers. Music and song can provide pleasure, activity, merriment, reduced uneasiness, and emotions, which to a certain degree help them to awaken and recognize memories. He examines the relationship between place as fields of care, music, dementia, and memory, and addresses how humanistic geography and awareness of place may contribute to increased understanding of the effect that use of music and song can have for alleviating suffering. The main findings are that biographically adapted music and song can have positive effects in reawakening and recognition of memories for people suffering from dementia, and through memories sufferers can maintain emotional ties to places embodied in their earlier life. The author concludes that a humanistic geographical approach could indicate the importance of place and home for dementia sufferers.