Beloved brothers open up on dealing with mother's dementia diagnosis

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 13, 2026

Brothers Ken and David have shared how creating personalized music playlists for their mother Teresa helped improve her quality of life during her battle with dementia. Their experience highlights the wider success of the Playlist for Life charity, which supports tens of thousands of families and will host National Playlist Day to promote the benefits of music therapy in dementia care.

Brothers Ken and David, who recently lost their mother Teresa to dementia at the age of 96, have spoken publicly about how music played a crucial role in supporting their mother and family throughout her illness. The siblings began curating personalized playlists for their mother soon after her diagnosis, finding that familiar music helped reconnect Teresa with cherished memories and improved her quality of life as the disease progressed.

Ken explained that the family was introduced to the therapeutic potential of music for dementia patients through Sally Magnusson, a television presenter who founded the charity Playlist for Life. The organization advocates for the use of tailored playlists to tap into the memories and emotions of those living with dementia, often helping to ease agitation and improve communication.

Initially, Teresa was still living independently when the playlists were created, but as her condition advanced and she required professional care, the music became even more significant during family visits. The brothers described Teresa’s eclectic musical taste, which included European artists such as Demis Roussos and Nana Mouskouri, as well as American west coast musicians like Kris Kristofferson and Crosby, Stills & Nash—reflecting her unique preferences rather than more common choices like Sinatra or Elvis.

Ken recounted that while Teresa’s ability to communicate diminished over time, playing her favorite songs would visibly revive her engagement and lift her spirits, even when she no longer recognized family members. “It means there's some sort of quality of life,” he said.

Scientific research supports the beneficial effects of personal music playlists for dementia patients. A study by an NHS Fife team trained by Playlist for Life reported that 80% of participants required less medication to manage stress after listening to customized music selections. Additionally, in a trial involving 28 patients on NHS Fife accident and emergency wards, 96% exhibited reduced stress and agitation during clinical procedures when personal music systems were used.

Playlist for Life, which has established over 2,600 community help points throughout the United Kingdom, offers guidance on creating personalized music collections for people with dementia. It is estimated that around 130,000 families have utilized the charity’s resources to support their loved ones. The organization will lead National Playlist Day on Friday, inviting the public to create and share playlists to raise awareness about the impact of music on dementia care.

Beyond his advocacy for music and dementia, Ken, along with his brother David and bandmate Bobby Bluebell, released an album earlier this year titled No Pasaran!, which reached number one on the Scottish charts. Ken will also appear at Glasgow’s Rip It Up arts festival later this month and perform at the Strathaven Hotel in October to support Down’s Syndrome Scotland.

More information about National Playlist Day can be found at nationalplaylistday.org, while details on Playlist for Life are available at playlistforlife.org.uk.

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