How Dance and Music Can Support People Living with Dementia

How Dance and Music Can Support People Living with Dementia – Holly Dodd

Music and dance does something special. They lift our spirits, get us moving, and connect us to memories and emotions in ways that words often can’t. For someone living with dementia, these can become powerful tools for healing and connection, both psychologically and physically.

When movement is paired with music, it can spark old memories, brighten moods, and help people feel more like themselves again — even if just for a moment.

The Science Behind Music for Dementia

Throughout our lives, we are constantly surrounded by music. It can remind us of good times, difficult moments, or even early childhood.  For people living with dementia, music can be a gentle way to open the door to old memories.

Music releases feel-good endorphins, which can support mental health by reducing agitation, depression, and anxiety.

It also makes a big difference to mental abilities, including:

●      Improved concentration

●      Enhanced memory

●      Strengthened cognitive function

●      Support with speech

●      Encouragement of non-verbal communication

Bringing back memories through music can offer healing in ways that words alone sometimes can’t. Talking about a favourite singer or remembering a song that played at their wedding many years ago can bring an incredible sense of happiness.

Why Dance? Advantages for People with Dementia

Music isn’t just good for psychological health, it has a great impact on physical health too. This could be a more structured dance, or just simply swaying away to music. Dance is customisable; it can offer low-impact physical activity.

Coordination

Dancing helps to improve coordination by encouraging controlled movements, balance and spatial awareness.

Routine

Unfortunately, boredom and agitation are common with dementia, this could be due to the condition itself or a lack of activities. Giving them a structured hobby can be good to make sure their symptoms aren’t exacerbated by boredom, even if the experience is forgotten.

Fitness

Exercise, even if it’s low impact, is really important to us later in life. Keeping fit and moving can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Music is a fun way to do this.

Types of Dance That Work

One of the best things about dance is that it can be tailored to suit personal preferences. If someone with dementia once enjoyed a particular style, starting there can be a great way to reconnect, and it might even come naturally to them. Playing well-known music that resonates with them can be incredibly powerful and encourages them to get moving.

Different styles of dance that work well:

Line dance:

With its repetitive steps and predictable patterns, line dancing can be fun and good for coordination. There is also a type of line dancing called seated line dancing, which is perfect for people with limited mobility.

Ballroom dance:

For those who enjoy the social connection, slow ballroom styles such as the waltz and foxtrot provide opportunities for partnered movement.

Contemporary Dance:

This style involves free and expressive movement rather than set routines. It can also be easily adapted for seated sessions.

Not all dance needs steps or choreography. Movements like swaying, tapping feet, or waving arms to the music can be just as beneficial. It’s about enjoying the moment, not getting it perfect.

The Bigger Picture

Socialising

Whether in group sessions, at home with family, or in care settings, music and dance naturally bring people together. They encourage interaction, and for those who struggle with verbal communication, dancing offers an alternative way to express themself.

Better quality sleep

Physical activity, even exercise like dancing, supports better sleep. It helps regulate the body’s natural rhythms, reduces restlessness, and can make it easier to settle in the evening.

Positive effects on loved ones

When someone you love is affected by dementia, it’s devastating, and it feels like you’re losing them. So, witnessing a loved one with dementia respond to music is profoundly moving for family and friends. This can feel like a glimpse of the person they knew, even if it’s only for a few minutes.

How we’ve seen music impact people around them:

Here at Xpress Yourself, we’ve seen first-hand how dance impacts people living with dementia. At one of our dementia friendly dance sessions, we saw a gentleman with dementia who no longer recognised his wife.  When the music came on the gentleman was clapping along, and by the end of the session, he then recollected that one of the songs that was playing was a song he and his wife used to listen to, saying “we used to play this song when we used to have house parties, it was always the last song that we played’’.  Music in that moment brought them together to a place where they could be reunited for that moment.

Wrapping up

Music and dance have a way of reaching people where words can’t.  At Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC, we’ve witnessed the incredible ways dance can reconnect people with their identity and their loved ones. Our dementia-friendly dance sessions are designed to be inclusive. While these sessions are therapeutic in nature, it’s important to note that what we offer at Xpress Yourself are creative dance sessions, not formal therapy.

If you’d like to learn more or explore how our sessions can support someone you care about, give us a call on 07984423534 or email here at hello@xpress-yourself.co.uk.

Written by Holly.dodd@thewritersdiary.co.uk