Over the years that I advocated for nursing homes to help residents reconnect to their favorite music, I often hit a wall of resistance. Any new initiative, even a low cost one like personalized music, was a hard sell if it didn’t produce revenue. Although I was fortunate to have met with passionate, “walk-the-walk” kinds of leaders when it came to improving quality of life with music, too many leaders in nursing homes, assisted living communities, hospitals, and home health care organizations said they didn’t feel they could even ask for or consider a program like this unless it contributed to the bottom line.

So you can imagine how thrilled I was to learn that a joint effort by AARP and the NeuroArts Blueprint tasked Deloitte with quantifying the impact of music on people with dementia—both in terms of quality of life as well as return on investment.

This report makes a strong case for health systems, care homes, and all levels of government to take music more seriously. In fact, Alzheimer’s Disease & Music Engagement: Quality of Life Economic Impact Analysis confirms what I and so many families, caregivers, and professionals have long witnessed firsthand: music is not just meaningful for people with dementia—its positive impact is measurable.

According to the Deloitte analysis, every dollar invested in music engagement for people living with Alzheimer’s yields a $2.40 return in improved quality of life, reduced caregiver burden, and health-related benefits.

But beyond the numbers lies a deeply human truth. Music keeps us connected to the world. It lifts spirits, calms agitation, sparks memory, and restores a sense of self, even during cognitive decline. The report noted positive outcomes from just two 30-minute music sessions per week—something simple and achievable in any home or care setting.

If you have a loved one with dementia, now is the time to lean into the power of music. Create a playlist of favorite songs from earlier life. Sing together. Dance. Play an instrument. Even just listening can work wonders.

All that’s needed is just a little intention and access to the music that matters most. Music is a tool we can start using today to bring joy, connection, and comfort to those who need it most.

Let’s turn up the volume on care—because music is more than background noise. It’s a lifeline.

Watch introduction by Deloitte here.

Download the full report [PDF].