Summary

This research aims to explore the challenges that people living with dementia (PLWD) face and investigates the effect that music has on their behaviour and quality of life. Several primary and secondary user-centred methods were optimised to gain qualitative and some quantitative data. The research revealed that PLWD experience emotional disturbances during unexpected moments and contexts, or during activities of daily living / care (ADL). Their cognitive decline and loss of executive functioning leads to limited engagement and initiation of art-based activities, which can cause decline in quality of life in PLWD. Therefore, the vulnerabilities of this group of individuals need to be carefully considered when designing music listening devices. Overall, music acts as a medium for helping PLWD cope with emotional distress and restlessness, making the development of user-friendly and innovative solutions highly relevant and important.