Many people believe that all music is “good” for people living with dementia because it can enhance mood and improve wellbeing. However, not all music is good in every situation. In fact, when not mindfully or intentionally used, it can sometimes result in the opposite to desired effects. The MATCH app provides easily digestible guidance about the ways music can be used in different scenarios, such as during personal care activities, eating meals, or reducing confusion. The training and guidance have been systematically developed by experienced music therapy clinicians and researchers and tested via an in-person training program in our HOMESIDE clinical trial funded by the European Union’s JPND research program.
Training carers to understand which music, when, how, for how long, and why to use music, are critical components of our MATCH app.
