When favourite music awakens memories

Music can soothe, evoke memories and create closeness—even when dementia makes language, orientation and everyday life increasingly difficult. The Department of Clinical-Psychological Intervention at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, led by Prof. Dr Gabriele Wilz, has investigated how individually selected music can support people with dementia and their caring affiliates in everyday life at home. The results of the research project »Individualised Music for People with Dementia in Home Care«External link will be presented on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, at a public symposium at Forum Seebach in Weimar. Media representatives are cordially invited.

Music as a bridge in everyday care

Many people associate certain songs with important moments in their lives: childhood, family, celebrations, travelling or familiar everyday situations. This is precisely where the project at the University of Jena comes in. The researchers have investigated how personally meaningful Music can be specifically integrated into the home care of people with dementia with the help of an app.

»The first note she heard completely changed her. Before, she was sitting introverted and as soon as the Music was put on, she was cheerful. It was as if a switch had been flicked«, reports one of the participating affiliates.

The project focused not only on the people with dementia themselves, but also on their caring affiliates. After all, they often bear a great deal of emotional and practical responsibility in everyday life. Individualised Music can provide low-threshold, non-medicinal support here: it can calm, activate, trigger memories and enable shared moments.

Research results to be presented in Weimar

The Department of Clinical-Psychological Intervention at the University of Jena is now organising a symposium in Weimar to mark the final presentation of the results. Key findings will be presented, experiences from research and practice will be shared and perspectives for the further use of individualised Music in nursing and care will be discussed. The event is aimed at care professionals, care facilities, counselling centres, researchers, cultural and healthcare stakeholders and interested members of the public.