Music therapy for dementia

Please register to participate

Konnekt is pleased to announce that we are supporting an innovative research study being run by The University of Melbourne that is developing and testing a mobile phone app that helps carers learn how to use music to support their loved ones living with dementia.

How music helps with dementia

The benefits of music for people with dementia are becoming widely recognised. Music therapy has been found to

  • help with memory recall and cognitive function
  • improve mood
  • reduce risk of depression, anxiety and agitation
  • increase positive interactions
  • enhance the connection between people with dementia and their family members and care providers.
Daughter with elderly mother, each listening to headphones, sharing music

Using music as part of care routines has also been shown to have a positive impact on caregivers, helping to improve mood and reduce stress; it can create an enjoyable way for people to connect with their loved ones and share in special memories.

Recommended worldwide for Aged Care

Music therapy has been used successfully in residential aged care around the world, and the recent Royal Commission into Aged Care has recommended that every aged care home in Australia have a music or art therapist by 2025.

A MATCH made in heaven

The MATCH initiative (Music Attuned Technology – Care via eHealth) is the outcome of several years of research and clinical experience working with carers and people with dementia, led by Professor Felicity Baker since 2008.

Prof Felicity Baker leads a small group in music therapy

Much more than music

The MATCH app is the latest development in this research, and is much more than just playing a set of favourite music tracks: MATCH enhances and expands on traditional music therapy based on the research, clinical experience, and innovative methods devised and refined by Prof Felicity Baker and team at the University of Melbourne. This includes a recent large-scale international trial of an in-person music-based carer training program (HOMESIDE), which included 400 participants in over 5 countries.

Training for carers

MATCH provides training programs to help carers learn strategies for how to use music to support care, and also assists you to select appropriate music to meet different needs and situations.

12-week trial, at the leading edge

The University of Melbourne is currently seeking Australians who are caring for a loved one who has a diagnosis of dementia and lives in the community to test out the app together. This involves using the app at least twice per week for 12 weeks, and answering a series of questions that will help the university team to improve the app and make it suitable for use by other families.

Instant video book

Konnekt is really thrilled to be partnering with The University of Melbourne.

We also plan to test how the MATCH app can best be used over Skype with a Konnekt Videophone in the future.

Register now – places limited

We encourage you to visit the MATCH website to learn more, and to register to participate at the MATCH registration page.

Registering your interest does not mean you have to commit to participate; you can change your mind at any time. We have a limited number of places available, and priority will be given to those who register first.

Learn more

For additional information, contact the University of Melbourne Music Attuned Care team.

To learn how to easily share music, photos, videos or your device screen to the Konnekt Videophone, read about Skype screen-sharing or contact your nearest Konnekt partner.

Menu