Music and Dementia: From Cognition to Therapy

Amee Baird · Sandra Garrido · Jeanette Tamplin

Aug 2019 · Oxford University Press

About this ebook

Dementia is the most significant health issue facing our aging population. With no cure to date, there is an urgent need for the development of interventions that can alleviate symptoms of dementia and ensure optimal well-being for people with dementia and their caregivers. There is accumulating evidence that music is a highly effective, non-pharmacological treatment for various symptoms of dementia at all stages of disease progression. In its various forms, music (as a medium for formal therapy or an informal activity) engages widespread brain regions, and in doing so, can promote numerous benefits, including triggering memories, enhancing relationships, affirming a sense of self, facilitating communication, reducing agitation, and alleviating depression and anxiety. This book outlines the current research and understanding of the use of music for people with dementia, from internationally renowned experts in music therapy, music psychology, and clinical neuropsychology.

About the author

Dr. Amee Baird completed a PhD and Master of Clinical Neuropsychology at The University of Melbourne. She has worked as a clinical neuropsychologist in both clinical and research positions, including at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. Her current research focuses on the relationship between music, memory, and the self in people with dementia. She has published on a wide range of topics including her forthcoming book Sex in the Brain (NewSouth Publishing and Columbia University Press, 2019). Dr. Sandra Garrido completed her PhD at the University of New South Wales. Her post-doctoral research at The University of Melbourne concerned the relationship between music and mental health. She is currently based at the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development at Western Sydney University, and has over 70 academic publications including a monograph entitled Why Are We Attracted to Sad Music? (Palgrave Macmillan, 2017). Dr. Jeanette Tamplin completed her PhD at The University of Melbourne where she is currently a Senior Research Fellow and also holds a clinical music therapy position at Austin Health. Her research and clinical practice focus on music therapy in neurorehabilitation. She is widely published and co-authored Music Therapy Methods in Neurorehabilitation (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006).