5 Music Therapy Activities to Enhance Memory and Cognition in Older Adults
Picture this: You walk into an assisted living facility for your afternoon music therapy group. As you greet the residents, their faces light up. You begin a sing-along, and almost instantly, many voices join in. Some hands clap, feet tap, and subtle yet key changes appear—brighter eyes, open posture, and deeper engagement. In that moment, the music becomes a bridge to connection, memory, and joy.
We’ve all experienced the power of music to transport us—one song can bring us back to a moment in time, to someone we love, or a feeling we thought we’d forgotten. For older adults, especially those with cognitive decline, music holds this same power, unlocking memories and providing meaningful cognitive stimulation in ways that words alone often cannot.
Beyond listening to preferred music, research and evidence-based music therapy techniques have proven that active music making can help enhance memory and cognition in older adults.
Below you’ll find five engaging music therapy activities for seniors that combine rhythm, melody and movement to support cognitive function and create meaningful moments for older adults.
These five music therapy activities engage memory, cognition, and movement to support older adults’ well-being. Let’s break down how each one works! 🧠
1. Themed Movement: Engaging Memory and Motor Skills Through Familiar Actions
Structuring movement-based music therapy around familiar themes– such as work, school or holidays– creates a sense of community and nostalgia in sessions. As seniors mimic modeled movements while singing along to well-known songs, they naturally engage in reminiscence, social interaction, and functional motor movements.
One of my favorite themes? Going on a train ride! I love using “Chattanooga Choo Choo” (Henry Warren and Mack Gordon) or “The A Train” (Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn) to lead this activity.
Every time seniors share incredible stories from their younger years– recalling specifics about their work, military service, or family moves–all while reinforcing motor skills that are essential for ADLs (Activities of Daily Living).
🎶 Pro Tip: Integrate small percussion instruments such as tambourines, egg shakers or rhythm sticks to add a layer of cognitive and sensory stimulation and encourage coordination and active participation.
💡 Tempo Tip: Need to adjust the tempo? YouTube’s settings allow speed control, or try apps like TempoSlowMo and MusicSpeedChanger.
2. Name That Tune!
Number two is a fun way to boost memory recall and engagement. This classic game taps into long-term memory by challenging clients to recognize familiar songs from their past.
To play, select a variety of popular songs suited to your client’s age group and preferences. If playing in a group, divide clients into two teams. Play a short snippet, either instrumental or with lyrics, and encourage them to name the title, artist or both. If playing with one client, use it as a way to introduce singing experiences or include family members or caregivers.
You can also facilitate reminiscence connected to the song, further enhancing cognitive stimulation and social interaction.
Adapting the Activity for Different Levels of Cognitive Functioning
“Name That Tune” can be easily modified to support the needs of individuals with varying levels of cognitive function:
✅ For clients with lower support needs:
Play a less familiar section of the song to increase the challenge.
Use only the instrumental version to encourage deeper listening.
Hum or sing the melody using “ooh” or “la” instead of the lyrics.
✅ For clients with higher support needs:
Provide verbal or visual clues if they struggle to recall the song or artist.
Offer A/B choices.
Play a more recognizable part of the song, such as the chorus.
“Name That Tune” isn’t just a fun throwback. It’s a powerful way to promote active engagement. The best part? Once the song is identified, you can seamlessly transition into group singing, which further strengthens recall, can elevate clients’ mood, and fosters a shared sense of connection.
3. Active Listening with Sound Poems
Sound poems turn passive listening into an interactive, brain boosting exercise. Each client is assigned a specific word or phrase from a poem (ending rhymes are perfect for this!), along with a corresponding instrument. As you read the poem aloud, they must listen carefully and play their instrument whenever they hear their assigned word.
The anticipation of their turn keeps clients involved and focused while providing social connection to their peers. To adapt the activity for different levels of cognitive ability:
✅ For clients with lower support needs:
Choose complex, longer poems or increase the number of assigned words.
✅ For clients with higher support needs:
Use more repetitive poems with rhyme and short phrases.
Provide visual cues such as flashcards or holding up your hand when saying a keyword.
By combining language, verbal cueing and movement, sound poems reinforce cognitive skills while keeping sessions lively and fun!
4. Spark Creativity through Adapted Songwriting
Using a familiar song as a starting point for songwriting provides the adequate structure for older adults to use their creativity in this activity. Also known as “piggyback songwriting”, this technique involves rewriting the lyrics of well-known and loved songs, making it easier for participants to contribute without feeling overwhelmed by learning or creating something entirely new.
To get started, choose a well-known preferred song such as “Home on the Range” or “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. Pick a theme your clients can relate to, like holidays, favorite foods, or family memories. Guide the group in brainstorming lyrics that fit the melody, helping them access long-term memory, language, and sequencing skills.
For added support:
Use sentence starters or fill-in-the-blank prompts.
Ask questions related to the theme (Ex: What’s a sound only heard in Florida?).
Adapt for different abilities by allowing clients to provide one-word lyrics or full lines, or even sing along with the final version.
Use a flip chart or technology to project the lyrics for the group or extend the activity into your next session by bringing in copies of their finished song.
One of my favorite songwriting moments was transforming Winter Wonderland into Florida Wonderland. Clients came up with hilarious lyrics about airboats, “summer junior” (Florida’s version of winter), and even changed “later on, we’ll conspire …” for “later on, we’ll perspire as we drink by the water.” It wasn’t just a great cognitive exercise—it sparked laughter, creativity, and pure fun!
5. Instrument Exploration: Engage the Senses Through Sound and Touch
This activity is a fantastic way to address the needs of mixed-ability groups. Before jumping into structured instrument playing, allow clients to freely explore different instruments. The multisensory approach stimulates curiosity, and enhances both cognitive and motor skills. Encourage clients to listen, touch, and experiment with different playing techniques.
Ask open-ended questions like “What does this sound remind you of?” or “How does this instrument feel?” to spark conversation and create deeper connections. I also love when clients ask me questions about the instruments because it turns the session into a shared learning space!
Some of my favorite instruments for this activity include the autoharp, kashishi, cabasa, and ocean drum. Each one offers a unique tactile and auditory experience, making them great tools for sensory engagement and memory recall.
By allowing space for open exploration, you help clients build confidence and create a connection to the music, setting the foundation for more structured instrument-playing to follow.
Bringing It All Together:
Music therapy offers a powerful way to enhance memory, cognition, and overall well-being in older adults. Whether through rewriting lyrics, rhythm-based recall games, or hands-on exploration, these activities will engage the brain, promote social connection, and bring moments of joy to your session.
What are your favorite music therapy techniques for memory and cognition?