Music can provide emotional and behavioral benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease.
The Music4All app provides an easy to use player interface designed specifically for elders with limited fine motor and cognitive skills. It is designed to be easy to use for both elders and caregivers and requires no special hardware other than an Internet connection and a free Spotify account. It’s available now as a web app and will soon be ported to both iOS and Android for use with additional streaming services including Pandora, Apple Music, Google Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, and many others.
To Make A Playlist:
Set up a Spotify account. You can do that here.
Click Here to login to the app.
Click "Yes" to make a playlist.
Choose your person’s age from the dropdown menu and type in their name in the name field.
Click “Do it”
Voila! Your person’s spotify playlist will show up on a separate tab. You can begin listening immediately and you and/or your person can begin tweaking their personalized playlist to taste!
I’ve also created a step by step instructional video on youtube. Please have a look and pass the word!
How And Why Does Music Work?
The Music4All app generates personalized playlists based on the user’s age from the most popular music within the years 12 to 25 of the specific user’s life. The Music4All app makes the search for favorite music easier for elders and caregivers to focus on providing enjoyment immediately.
The Music4All app provides a playlist that can be used as a starting point to creating a truly personalized playlist. Playlists can be easily edited and tweaked to include certain specific songs or artists and this playlist creation and editing can prove a valuable bonding activity program for the elder or the elder and caregiver, family member, or friend. When an elder has challenges expressing their preferences, it can be nearly impossible to determine favorite music. The Music4All app gives a head start to finding music to provide elders with joy, comfort, and the increased quality of life music provides.
Music can also benefit caregivers by reducing anxiety and distress, lightening the mood and providing a way to connect with loved ones who have Alzheimer's disease — especially those who have difficulty communicating.
Similar programs of personalized music have been successfully implemented in healthcare facilities around the world. With the Music4All app, personalized music playlists can be easily and quickly generated and the user can listen right away.