Justin Russo, Music & Memory’s Director of Programming, was recently featured on the Caregiver Relief Podcast with host Diane Carbo, RN. Together they discuss how personalized music supports people living with dementia—and the caregivers who love them.
What you’ll hear
- Why favorite music works: Emotionally meaningful songs tap memory systems and help bring a person into the present moment.
- Practical care strategies: Using playlists to boost mood, reduce agitation, support sleep and mealtimes, and ease transitions—simple, non-pharmacological tools teams can fold into daily routines.
- The “music detective” approach: How to uncover a person’s favorite music—musical conversations, sampling, and questions like “What was your wedding song?”
- Support for caregivers: Personalized music can create safe, engaging moments that offer brief respite for family caregivers.
- Beyond dementia: Where music engagement helps in Parkinson’s, aphasia, chronic pain, and when to consult a board-certified music therapist.