‘Power of Music & Dementia’ RESEARCH PROJECT
WOLFE’S GROUNDBREAKING STUDY THAT WENT ONTO CHANGE POLICY AND FORM A CHARITY
Beatie Wolfe began her pioneering Power of Music and Dementia work over a decade ago (in 2013) after reading Oliver Sacks ‘Musicophilia’ and then seeing the impact of music first-hand on her loved ones living with dementia. Following these early ad hoc live performances in care homes for loved ones, where profound reactions and breakthroughs were witnessed, Wolfe went onto undertake a study in 2014 that was the first piece of research to look at new music, unconnected to memory, for people living with dementia. The findings were published in: The Times, Independent, BBC Radio 4, WIRED, Stanford University, Forbes with numerous publications and scientific bodies declaring the work “groundbreaking” for looking at music outside of its link to memory. Wolfe’s study - in partnership with The Priory Care Group and kindly supported by the Utley Foundation - went onto change policy in the UK and form the charity Music for Dementia. Wolfe has since given keynotes about this work at WIRED’s conference, TEDMED 2020, DLD Health, SXSW, Vox Media, Social Innovation Summit, NASA, Apple Town Hall, Berklee Music College, US Alzheimer’s Association. Since beginning the Power of Music and Dementia research project in 2014 Wolfe has been campaigning for this cause and her research study has been:
adopted by Stanford Research, the American Alzheimer’s Association & Oxford University
read at the House of Lords as part of an initiative to get music in all UK care homes
used to develop the charity Music for Dementia - to make music available to everyone living with dementia in the UK (Beatie Wolfe is an ambassador for this charity)
increased the awareness and use of music for dementia amongst primary caregivers to 80% in the UK .
The 4-MONTH UK STUDY
The Power of Music & Dementia research tour began in 2014 with the aim to objectively prove the power of music, in this case music unconnected to memory, for people living with dementia. Beatie performed her original music at a series of Priory Group care homes across the UK. Residents were monitored during the live performance and in the weeks following, listening to the same songs on headsets. This study was the first of its kind to test the impact of new music for those living with dementia. Highlight responses include “72% responding to the music in meaningful ways e.g. singing along, clapping, tapping” and significant improvements in memory and communication. Some of the amazing reactions to the music were captured in the following documentary video.
To name a few breakthrough moments:
Anne, who had not spoken in 7 months, started singing along to songs that she had never heard before
David was in a catatonic-like state and his family had stopped visiting because it was too painful. The carers were hopeful that the music would produce some sign of engagement that they could share with David’s family to say “he’s still here”. Before the music began, nothing could rouse David. Then within the first few bars of the first song, David’s arm started to move, in perfect time to the music. Then his eyes opened wide. Later in the set he got up and he danced
Edna was besides herself with grief, feeling "worthless" and alone in a room full of people. At the start of the music she sat sobbing uncontrollably but during the performance she quickly found her confidence and transformed into a joyful state, clapping and singing along
The FINDINGS
"The 'Power of Music & Dementia' results were extremely positive and provide compelling data which can significantly alter the way people care for those living with dementia and how they can engage and connect via the power of music... if it is music and not simply memory stirring the soul and creating the magic, then the field opens up to new and wonderful possibilities for dementia care.” - The Priory Group
72% HAD PROFOUND RESPONSES to THE Music
Improvements In communication & memory
“The research has shown that proactive and stimulating music events, like Beatie’s project, have significant positive & lasting effects for people living with dementia.”
A Stanford video highlights the impact of music on people with memory disorders: https://t.co/kNRdhEtHGr pic.twitter.com/mMzKB2tuyq
— Stanford Medicine (@StanfordMed) 8 January 2018
Collaborations & Special Projects
-
![]()
Punchdrunk
Punchdrunk x Beatie Wolfe - dementia collaboration. In spring 2016, Punchdrunk partnered with intergenerational arts company Magic Me and Anchor Trust to create a new project for Greenhive Care Home’s residents and staff, including those with dementia. Learning of Beatie Wolfe’s study Punchdrunk invited Beatie Wolfe to advise them on incorporating music into the project but she went one step further and joined in.
-
![]()
dublab radio
A radio show exploring the power of music across Space, Science, Art, Health, Film & Technology “musical weirdo and visionary” (Vice) Beatie Wolfe talks to the leading luminaries in each field, from Nobel Laureates to Tony-winning artists, and hears the music that has most impacted them: their "Orange Juice for the Ears". The show airs globally from LA’s legendary station dublab radio.
-
![]()
Orange Juice for the Ears
London’s Barbican Centre commissioned a documentary about Beatie’s work as a highlight of its 2019 ‘Life Rewired’ season, which was directed by Ross Harris. With the season investigating the impact of the pace and extent of technological change in our culture and society and looking at how we can grasp and respond to the seismic shifts these advances will bring about, there are few artists who exemplify this exploration quite as much
-
![]()
Los Angeles Times
The LA Times invite Beatie Wolfe to curate their NewStory Festival in 2018. Being such an advocate Beatie Wolfe curates a high profile panel to discusses how the power of music for dementia is universally understood but still isn't common place. Click above to hear Beatie, Walter Wezowa (HealthTunes) and Dr Nusha Askari (Stanford medicine)
-
![]()
TEDMED
Giving a TEDMED talk in 2020 about the power of music and its core value to humanity, sharing her work with The Utley Foundation and Music for Dementia - read the script (+)
-
![]()
Museum of Science
Boston’s leading institution commissioned Beatie Wolfe’s neurology installation to run from Jan 2025 to Feb 2026.
-
![]()
Falling Walls Award
Falling Walls Award… Breaking the Wall of Neurobiology through Art
Beatie Wolfe and her imPRINTING.me installation was announced as a Finalists and Winners at Falling Walls 2025.
Following the fall of the Berlin Wall this award was established to promote communication between science, business, politics and society.
Beatie Wolfe's Personal Story
Inspired by neurologist Oliver Sacks, who detailed the power of music for a range of ailments, Beatie was particularly moved by his accounts of using familiar and personal music to provide that vital "way in" for those living with dementia
After discovering that her American Grandmother had dementia, Beatie decided on her next visit that she would take her guitar and play to her. The positive effects were immediate. Following this, Beatie was inspired to play to a relative living in a care home in Portugal with advanced dementia. When the Director of the home heard, he asked if Beatie would mind playing to the whole dementia ward of 100+ patients. On this occasion, Beatie’s music was entirely unfamiliar to the residents and there was no lyrical connection to draw upon - as none of the residents spoke English. Beatie was amazed to watch individuals waking up, singing along, clapping and fully engaging with the music and the Director of the care home describing it as “the best he had ever seen the group” in his 10 years there
Returning to the UK with this experience fresh in her mind, Beatie realised that she wanted something more concrete to share than simply a powerful anecdote and decided then to take this further as so began 'Power of Music & Dementia'
More Power of Music and Dementia videos
