Living with Young Onset Dementia and finding new avenues for self-expression and communication through music therapy

Andrew* is a warm and friendly man who lives with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) caused by his younger onset dementia. PCA affects the visual processing and spatial areas of his brain, and therefore his ability to process visual and spatial information. 

During music therapy sessions, Andrew enjoys singing along to his favourite rock and roll songs while playing various untuned percussion instruments. This supports his NDIS goal of maintaining his mental and physical health and wellbeing. 

As it has become harder for Andrew to process visual and spatial information due to the progression of his PCA, wanting to deepen his music experience as best she could, his music therapist Rachel brought along a keyboard for Andrew to play. Although he has never learnt keyboard before, Andrew took an immediate liking to it and often spends most of his hour-long music therapy sessions improvising on the keyboard, supported musically and therapeutically by Rachel. 

While playing the keyboard, Andrew will often express himself musically through his voice as well, improvising vocally along to the instrumental music. Due to Andrew’s dementia, he now lives with speech disorders and is unable to express himself verbally as he used to. Improvising vocally to his keyboard playing is an avenue for Andrew to be able to express his emotions and feelings, as well as engage in a musical dialogue with Rachel. Because Andrew is no longer able to enter into much spoken dialogue with others, communicating in a musical dialogue allows Andrew to engage in this aspect of his life. 

Music therapy continues to support Andrew’s health and wellbeing and provide avenues for enjoyment and self-expression. 

*Pseudonym used for participant confidentiality.