ABSTRACT

Although dementia is a long-term process, current literature on music in dementia care tends to focus on the immediate effects of music. By contrast, we describe a longitudinal ethnographic case study, conducted by Hara as part of her PhD. We use this material to make a case for ecological perspectives in order to highlight the ways in which music offers more sustained benefits. Hara’s case study shows music fostering many kinds of connections across temporal/spatial boundaries and reveals music to be a permeable and sustainable resource for people who are affected by dementia.