The Power of a Melody: Using Music to Reduce Agitation and Connect with Your Loved One

Paige Wagner

Jun 29

2 min read

By Mary O’Toole, COMPASS Summer Intern (University of Delaware)

6.29.26

This is Mary O’Toole, COMPASS Intern. Today’s caregiver tip of the week is all about the power of music intervention, inspired by a beautiful article from Northwestern Medicine.

Why Music Matters in Dementia Care

Music has a unique, almost magical way of evoking emotions and memories. Because the parts of the brain that store musical appreciation are often spared in the progression of dementia, study after study has shown that music can significantly reduce agitation and improve behavioral issues common in the middle stages of the journey.

This is incredibly personal to me. In my own experience spending time with my grandmother during her journey with dementia, I could always see her entire demeanor and behavior change for the better the moment Harry Belafonte played on the kitchen radio, or when my brother sat down to play the piano for her.

A Benefit for Both of You

What’s even more amazing is that music benefits both the person living with dementia and their caregiver.

One study highlighted by Northwestern Medicine found that a musical intervention improved agitation and anxiety in both partners. It also opened up new, beautiful avenues of verbal and nonverbal social communication between them.

🎼 How to Introduce Music into Your Care Routine

If you want to start using music to help your loved one (and yourself!), here are four simple tips to guide you:

1.1. Select Familiar and Enjoyable Music: Find their musical sweet spot.

Focus on music from your loved one’s teenage years or early twenties (typically between the ages of 10 and 25). If you aren't sure what they liked, ask other relatives or friends of a similar age to find out what was popular during that chapter of their life.

2.2. Observe and Track Their Response: Watch closely for nonverbal cues.

Pay close attention to how they react. If they smile, hum, tap their feet, or seem more content, make a mental note of that specific genre or artist so you can play it again. On the other hand, if they seem anxious, overstimulated, or agitated, turn it off—that is a sound or tempo to avoid.

3.3. Use Music to Set the Environmental Mood: Pick tempos to match your goals. Use music intentionally to shape the energy of the room. Slow, tranquil instrumentals can help create a quiet, soothing environment before bedtime or transitions. Conversely, an upbeat, faster-paced song from their youth can boost their spirits and spark happy memories.

4.4. Adapt and Use on an As-Needed Basis: Incorporate rhythm into daily life.

If your loved one loves it, make music a daily companion. If you aren't there every day, start by introducing music specifically during moments when your loved one seems particularly distant, anxious, or frustrated. It is a wonderful, non-confrontational way to redirect their focus.