Music as hope: specialist day on dementia in Potsdam attracts experts!

Music as hope: specialist day on dementia in Potsdam attracts experts!

Today, on July 10, 2025, the 10th specialist day of the Dementia Competence Center will take place in Potsdam, under the motto “Music and dementia – science meets practice”. Around 120 experts from the fields of nursing, science and music came together to discuss the valuable role of music in the care of people with dementia. Social Minister Britta Müller opened the event and thereby set an example for the growing importance of this topic. There are currently around 60,000 people living with dementia in Brandenburg and the number is continuing to rise, which is no surprise given demographic change. This change brings many people into contact with dementia, be it in the family, friendship or neighborhood environment.

“Support for people with dementia is not just in the hands of care facilities, but should be provided by family, friends and neighbors,” explains Müller. The “Pact for Care”, which the state government launched, aims to strengthen home care and provide relief for caring relatives. The aim is to provide those in need of care in their familiar surroundings with the best possible care. An important measure in this context is the state funding program “On-Site Care”, which supports municipalities in introducing advice and relief offers.

Support offers in everyday life

Last year, 2,380 offers to provide support in everyday life were created in Brandenburg, which were used by around 35,000 people in need of care. This included around 6,300 people suffering from dementia. These initiatives are extremely important because they help to improve the quality of life of those affected. Music therapy is becoming increasingly important as a complementary measure to traditional care. Not only can it promote emotional well-being, but it can also awaken deeply held memories, which is particularly true for those suffering from dementia.

• Aktive Musiktherapie: Patienten singen und spielen Instrumente, was das Selbstwertgefühl stärkt.
• Rezeptive Musiktherapie: Das Hören von Musik mit biografischem Bezug weckt Erinnerungen und Emotionen.

According to expert Eckart Altenmüller, dementia patients should be treated to their favorite melodies for an hour every day. The benefits of music therapy have been widely documented. Studies show not only positive effects on cognitive abilities, but also on motor skills and interpersonal communication. Music therapy is increasingly being used in the home environment and can help reduce restlessness and aggressiveness.

Long-term perspectives

The federal “Music and Dementia” initiative specifically funds projects that integrate music into care, including training for specialists and relatives. Concerts, singing groups and music therapy sessions are an integral part of this initiative. As already mentioned, music therapy is currently not a statutory health insurance service, but recognition and financing by health insurance companies should be promoted in order to enable the integration of this valuable form of therapy.

As the event in Potsdam shows, the discussion about the role of music in the care of people with dementia is not only necessary, but also urgently required. With collaborative approaches, we can sustainably improve the living situation of people with dementia and their relatives. Together we must ensure that care remains not just a duty but also an opportunity for happy memories.

For further information on the topics covered and initiatives relating to dementia and care, you can download the detailed reports on City Report, State Office for Social Affairs and Care and Viva Familienservice.