How Does Music Therapy Reduce Dementia?

In the article, the author expresses how music evokes memories, feelings, and sensations. Music therapy has been found to be effective for patients with dementia. Schaeffer explains that music shares a close relationship with your unconscious emotions and the emotions are activated by musical movement. The feelings are so strong that they are meaningful even if the patient cannot remember who they are. Music therapy improves wellbeing in the following areas: memory recall, vocal fluency, positive changes in moods, and management of pain and discomfort. The basic function of music therapy in dementia patients is to increase levels of physical, mental, social, and emotional wellness. Music therapy promotes communication between patients
and therapists. Older persons with dementia often have difficulty expressing how they are feeling and what they need. The therapy stimulates the communication part of the brain and can make it easier to speak about their needs. Schaeffer says “Singing has many functions; it offers a communicative structure, stimulates and regulates, and enables dialogue.” Although music therapy seems like a new profession its roots date back to 2,000 years ago. It became more popular during WWII would travel to hospitals and perform for wounded veterans to improve their moods. As a result, The American Music Therapy Association was founded in 1998. There is much to learn but Schaeffer believes the future of music therapy is promising. Juliann Schaeffer is a 2006 graduate of Kutzton University of Pennsylvania. She has a BA in English and Professional writing. She writes for a health company called Aging Well. She specializes in translating difficult material into information that is easier to read. Schaeffer has been writing for over ten years. Because of the information above I would deem her as a credible source even though she is not in the medical field. The article is about dementia and the benefits music therapy can offer to treat this condition.
Dementia is the decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. There is no cure for dementia but the article describes how music therapy has been effective in treating patients and reducing dementia symptoms. The author is trying to explain that music therapy can help older persons experiencing dementia. Schaeffer gives excellent information about how dementia can be combatted. In the author’s article they illustrate many good things music therapy does for dementia. Schaeffer explains how music therapy can restore cognitive skills that the disease attacks first. While making music it targets your cerebrum. The cerebrum is located at the top of the front of the head. The cerebrum is responsible for recalling memories and bringing up mental images. Schaeffer is great at giving good examples that offer real solutions to dementia. Another thing the author does well is write in a way that makes it easier for all audiences to understand. It is part of Juliann Schaeffer’s job to break down difficult articles and make them more tolerable. Sometimes the jargon in scholarly articles can be a bit much to process so it’s nice to have a bearable essay to read. Music therapy could be deemed as an unrealistic way to treat a disease but there are many facts that support its
success. The author uses reliable sources for her information. She quotes doctors who are experts on the issue. Schaeffer also uses good subtitles in her articles to help break down the information to make it more digestible. Schaeffer does many good things in her articles but she does have a few flaws. The article seems to be a little wordy and long. She tends to repeat herself and make redundant statements. A lot of times she will explain something and then explain it again.
The article seems to be clearly explained and ideas are backed up well by information. Overall I enjoyed this article and thought it explained music therapy for the treatment of Dementia.