Piano Time for Seniors with Dementia

Saturday, December 7th 2024

By: Charlotte Hendrey

Out of all the activities I have planned with the guests here at the assited living home, I have found two that have been the best by far. The first being anything involving sweets (they LOVE candy and cookies), and music. Me playing piano allows for them to relax and listen while we enjoy each others company.

A specific guests, whom I have met many times, was at first non-verbal. The workers at the center told me that she did not like engaging in activities. But, I found out that when I play music for her, a whole new side of her lights up. In the video on the left, she was telling me “oh the music is wonderful! Just wonderful!”.

Excited is not a big enough word to describe how I felt in the moment. This lady who had not even been able to tell me her name, had opened up and was smiling. She even tapped her feet on the floor to the melody of the Bach piece I was playing. I felt like I had really made a difference, and that feeling is what fuels my passion to put light in these wonderful peoples’ lives.

After seeing how impactful my music was on the guests, I immediately called Shelly, the event directer who I plan activities with, to schedule more piano playing for me to do at Greenwood Assisted Living. When I got home, I read about the effects that music therepy has on dementia patients. I learned first hand, and from reading, that music improves their moods, as music therapy is known to have positive affects on the depression that is commonly seen in patients with dementia.