On World Alzheimer’s Day, observed on 21st September, attention turns to the 60 million people worldwide affected by Alzheimer’s disease and their families. While no cure exists, Dr Punam Krishan, a GP collaborating with stairlift and homelift brand Stannah, highlights music from teenage years and early twenties as a powerful way to support those in the early stages of the condition.
Dr Krishan explains: “The positive effects of music are exceptionally noticeable in those experiencing the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s.” She notes that “engaging with familiar songs from the past can be completely transformative and are an excellent aid for maintaining mental lucidity and improving well-being.”
“Music lights up several areas of the brain at once such as memory, attention, language, and emotions, and that kind of cross-training helps keep the brain sharp,” Dr Krishan says. A song from youth, or linked to loved ones, can fire up memory pathways and create a deep sense of comfort. This is because long-term memory is often the last part of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s, making music a valuable tool for sparking recall and potentially slowing cognitive decline.
To support someone affected, Dr Krishan advises: “There’s a musical sweet spot. Playing songs from their teenage years and early 20s is the best choice.” She adds: “I really recommend creating a playlist of tunes associated with key moments in their life during that timeframe. For instance, the song played for the first dance at their wedding, hits by their favourite musician or a theme song from a popular TV show in their youth.”
Dr Krishan explains that the emotional resonance of these songs is crucial: “Particularly, a song with positive emotional memories is by far the most effective because it can take them back to a joyful place or time in their life.” While music cannot stop the disease, she emphasises its benefits: “While music can’t stop the disease, it can spark joy, restore connection, and hopefully provide some valuable moments of clarity in those early stages, lighting up the most resilient parts of the brain.” She encourages families to revisit cherished records, suggesting: “This World Alzheimer’s Day, it’s worth going upstairs into the attic to find your cherished relative or friend’s favourite record and press play on the past.”
Research supports these claims. Studies published by the Alzheimer’s Society indicate that music therapy can reduce agitation and improve mood in people with dementia. A 2023 study in The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that familiar music activated brain regions associated with memory and emotion, even in those with advanced cognitive decline. These findings align with Dr Krishan’s advice, reinforcing the potential of music as a non-invasive, accessible way to support those living with Alzheimer’s.
For families, this approach offers a practical way to connect with loved ones. By curating playlists of meaningful songs, caregivers can foster moments of joy and recognition, providing comfort amidst the challenges of Alzheimer’s.