Ultimate Music Playlists For Loved Ones With Dementia

By Jacqueline Munro - October 15, 2022

Stock photo provided by Lottie.

You might have heard how music can be a powerful tool for those with dementia. It helps to trigger positive feelings and connection. There’s lots of research happening into music and dementia. So, Lottie created a dementia music playlists tailored for those experiencing symptoms of dementia.

To create the playlist, each song was scored on attributes that would benefit those with dementia. For example, songs with a higher value for danceability, energy and positivity achieved a higher score, whereas those with a higher loudness value were given a lower score.

Dementia music playlists:

Ages 60-69

Rank	Song	Artist	Release Year	Final Score (/10)
1	Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough	Michael Jackson	1979	7.90
2	Blue Monday	New Order	1983	7.85
3	Super Freak	Rick James	1981	7.58
4	Celebration	Kool & The Gang	1980	7.44
5	Le Freak	CHIC	1978	7.22
6	Play That Funky Music	Wild Cherry	1976	7.21
7	In the Summertime	Mungo Jerry	1970	7.19
8	Jessie’s Girl	Rick Springfield	1981	7.17
9	Hot Stuff	Donna Summer	1979	7.11
10	Upside Down	Diana Ross	1980	7.03

Listen to the playlist on Spotify.

Lottie found that the number one song for those aged between 60 – 69 is, ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough’ by Michael Jackson (7.90/10). Originally released in 1979, its upbeat nature (scoring 9.54/10 for danceability) may remind those living with dementia of happy memories, such as their first kiss, teenage years, family parties and loved ones.

Ages 70-79

Rank	Song	Artist	Release Year	Final Score (/10)
1	Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough	Michael Jackson	1979	7.98
2	In the Summertime	Mungo Jerry	1970	7.58
3=	Le Freak	CHIC	1978	7.47
3=	Play That Funky Music	Wild Cherry	1976	7.47
5	Hot Stuff	Donna Summer	1979	7.40
6	The Letter	The Box Tops	1967	7.31
7	All Right Now	Free	1970	7.28
8	Louie Louie	The Kingsmen	1963	7.26
9	Sultans Of Swing	Dire Straits	1979	7.18
10	Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag – Single Version 1965	James Brown	1965	7.17

Listen to the playlist on Spotify.

In second place is ‘In The Summertime’ by Mungo Jerry. Released in 1970, this track scored an overall score of 7.58/10. Within weeks of its release, this record became a global hit and transformed Ray Dorset (known as Mungo Jerry) into an international star. Such an upbeat tune may have the potential to evoke happy summer memories of the past.

Ages 80-89

Rank	Song	Artist	Release Year	Final Score (/10)
1	The Battle Of New Orleans	Johnny Horton	1959	8.68
2	Summertime Blues	Eddie Cochran	1958	7.99
3	Johnny B. Goode	Chuck Berry	1958	7.61
4=	Good Golly Miss Molly	Little Richard	1958	7.55
4=	Jailhouse Rock	Elvis Presley	1957	7.55
6=	The Letter	The Box Tops	1967	7.41
6=	I Want You Back	The Jackson 5	1969	7.41
8=	Great Balls Of Fire	Jerry Lee Lewis	1957	7.30
8=	Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy	Red Foley	1950	7.30
10	Louie Louie	The Kingsmen	1963	7.29

Listen to the playlist on Spotify.

Lottie found that ‘The Battle Of New Orleans’ by Johnny Horton (8.68/10) is the most appropriate song to ignite memories for those living with dementia among those aged 80 – 89. You can try to engage and connect with a loved one living with dementia by holding their hand or tapping to the rhythm whilst listening to this hopeful track.

Will Donnelly, Care expert and Co-Founder, at Lottie, tells us more about how you can use music to help a loved one living with dementia:

“There’s lots of health and wellbeing benefits to music – especially for those living with dementia. Listening and engaging with music can help someone living with dementia to communicate, stay connected to others and spark memories of joy and happiness.

Previous research has found that music can help reduce anxiety, maintain speech and express their emotions and enhance the overall wellbeing of someone living with dementia. Many care homes across the country provide music therapy – organised activities that involve music that both care home residents and carers enjoy.

The benefits of music can be seen both at home and in care settings. From listening to the radio with your loved one, enjoying their favourite songs together or even supporting your loved one to joining a social choir or singing group – there’s lots of ways you can use music to support your loved one living with dementia.”

Find out more about how reading can also help those with dementia.