Anju Bobin

Epoch Elder Care,
India

Abstract Title:

Dementia and Music: Unlocking Memory Beyond Cognitive Decline

Biography:

Anju Bobin is a professional in the field of elder care, specializing in dementia care, training, and quality management at Epoch Elder Care. With extensive experience in caregiver training and clinical coordination, she focuses on improving resident outcomes through structured care practices and non-pharmacological interventions. Her work emphasizes practical, person-centered approaches to dementia care, including behavioural management and engagement strategies such as music-based interventions. She is actively involved in training healthcare staff and implementing quality-driven care models across assisted living facilities.

Research Interests:

Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects memory, cognition, behaviour, and functional independence. Among its various forms, Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent, characterized by a gradual decline in short-term memory and executive functioning. Despite this decline, emerging evidence suggests that certain neural pathways—particularly those associated with music and emotional memory—remain relatively preserved even in advanced stages of the disease. This paper explores the role of music as a powerful non-pharmacological intervention in dementia care. Music engages multiple brain regions simultaneously, including those linked to rhythm, emotion, and long-term memory, thereby bypassing damaged cognitive pathways. Individuals with dementia often demonstrate improved engagement, reduced agitation, enhanced mood, and occasional retrieval of autobiographical memories when exposed to familiar music. The presentation highlights practical applications of music-based interventions within care settings, such as personalized playlists, structured music sessions, and integration into daily care routines. Drawing from real-world observations in elder care environments, it demonstrates how music can facilitate communication, manage behavioural symptoms, and improve overall quality of life. In conclusion, while dementia progressively impairs cognitive recall, music provides an alternative channel to access preserved emotional and memory circuits. Incorporating music into dementia care offers a simple, cost-effective, and deeply human approach to enhancing resident well-being and supporting caregivers.