Best music players for people with mid stage dementia

Merla · March 25

I would like to get my mom some type of device where she could listen to music in her room in the long term care facility. She is in stage 4 of dementia and can operate her phone and other simple devices.

I’m not sure what type of device would work best. A radio or some type of streaming device which someone could set up for her. I just want it to be simple so she can operate it on her own.

cdgbdr · March 25

My husband is 72 and has a huge CD collection. I found a very simple CD/radio on Amazon that he can use. He broke several prior to this one. He no longer uses the phone well, though. Your mom may be able to use something else. If she or a caregiver could speak to "Alexa" that is another easy way to request music if she has the app on her phone and wifi there.

cla-2019 · March 26

We found this one to be pretty good—easy to use and includes a usb option: https://relish-life.com/en-us/products/relish-radio

You get 3 presets: We tuned it to the local oldies radio station, a sports radio station and a third we thought he’d like but will probably swap based on his input so far.

H1235 · March 27

My mom actually uses you tube on her tv. She loves to watch crafting videos but also sometimes listens to music. She has been using it awhile. It is pretty easy to use and the algorithm helps so there is always something she likes.

cbt1223 · March 31

My mother, Beverly, passed away at home on her 90th birthday in January. I cared for her for more than 7 years.

Music was a huge part of Beverly’s life. We used this to replace her more complicated Bose radio: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z9JRVP7?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_14

Another very helpful resource was the Ken Burns’ documentaries on jazz music and country music (found on Amazon Prime with a PBS Documentaries subscription). These programs were the most consistently calming intervention for Beverly.

I wish you and your mother the best possible on your journey.

ALCB · March 31

My grandmother is also in stage 4, and going into 5. I always play music from when my grandmother was a kid—she told me when she was younger that she listened to the most music when she was 11, so I just find a top hits of 1954 album and play it. It tends to comfort her, because to some degree she's starting to think that she's still living in the '60s. In terms of devices, I recommend something that she is used to using from when her memory loss seems to start. For example, my grandmother doesn't remember much from the last 6 or 7 years, so I'd get her something that she's been used to using for more than ~10 years. A radio, walkman, or phone if she's used to it should work.

Best music players for people with mid stage dementia

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