Music has long been recognized as a powerful tool in dementia care, offering comfort, connection, and cognitive stimulation for those experiencing memory loss. However, as expectations rise for more effective dementia care, the standard for music programs also increases. Today, there is a growing emphasis on approaches that deliver not just entertainment but true therapeutic impact, rooted in the formal field of music therapy.
"Music therapy is a clinical and evidence-based practice that uses music to accomplish individualized goals and objectives," explains Tara Jenkins, MT-BC, a board-certified music therapist and founder of Harmony in Dementia. "Our work supports clients' social, emotional, cognitive, physical, communication, musical, and spiritual needs. Essentially, we use different aspects of music to achieve individualized goals both in and outside sessions."
But change is afoot within the dementia industry. While traditional music therapy provides a deeply personalized experience tailored to an individual's emotional and cognitive needs, new models are emerging that bring the benefits of music to entire communities, around the clock, creating shared moments of joy and interaction. The following examples offer a brief survey.
Jenkins focuses on the individualized approach, working closely with people living with dementia to use music as a means of communication, emotional expression, and cognitive engagement. Her one-on-one sessions are rooted in clinical training, using music to tap into personal memories and provide therapeutic benefits unique to each resident.
For many individuals, this approach helps unlock emotions, reduce anxiety, and improve mood in a way that traditional music activities often cannot. Mood management is particularly important in memory care since mood disorders can create depression and behavioral issues, which can often trigger the use of powerful medications—sometimes with ill effects.
“The familiarity of music from a person's young adult years is the vessel of comfort, and the music therapist is there as a guide to support dignity and intentional moments of joy,” adds board-certified musical therapist Kim Best, MT-BC, founder of Kim Best Music Therapy. “Music therapy may look like magic, but it is the coming together of music, a person with dementia, and a music therapist—someone who not only cares deeply but is trained to carry music in a purposeful way to promote wellness.”
When requested, Best extends the conventional 1:1 model to small groups. But new tools bring new opportunities.
Perhaps the most current evolution of music therapy in dementia care is the video distribution of “dementia-friendly” music with therapeutic underpinnings. This removes the need for in-person music programs and opens the door for 24/7 access worldwide.
Alexis Baker, MT-BC, a board-certified music therapist and founder of Bridgetown Music Therapy, has taken the foundational principles of music therapy and expanded them into a structured group model. During the pandemic, personal visits were not permitted so she and her video producer husband, Tom, took her music therapy online for the first time.
Baker still practices both the 1:1 model and a group version to enlarge impact within a senior dementia care population. Her program, Music with Alexis, delivers “dementia-friendly” therapeutic music sessions via an online platform with hundreds of on-demand videos to choose from. Activity directors can shape their music program around the specific genres of music their residents prefer.
This group-based approach is particularly important in today’s senior living communities, where activity directors often struggle to meet the diverse needs of memory care residents. Many group music programs prioritize entertainment, selecting familiar songs for passive enjoyment. However, Music with Alexis offers a deeper level of engagement—drawing on music therapy techniques to encourage participation, stimulate cognition, and foster social connection.
Senior living professionals who have integrated the program into their programs report noticeable improvements in resident engagement and overall well-being. Erin Coran, manager of community life at Vincentian in Pittsburgh, Penn., shared, “The program has transformed the way we approach activities for our residents. The music brings joy to our community, and staff feel empowered by having such a reliable resource.”
By blending music therapy principles with a practical, community-friendly format, Baker and others like her have created a bridge between the highly individualized world of music therapy and the realities of group-based senior care. This innovative approach ensures that more residents can experience the emotional and cognitive benefits of music, reinforcing the idea that music is not just an activity. It’s a vital, accessible tool for enhancing the quality of life for those living with dementia.
As senior living communities continue to seek meaningful ways to support their residents, both individualized music therapy and structured group-based programs offer complementary solutions. Whether through one-on-one sessions that provide a deeply personal therapeutic experience or broader group engagement that fosters connection and joy, music remains one of the most effective and uplifting interventions in dementia care today.
Bill Pemberton, is a freelance writer focusing on senior health based in Dallas, Texas.