They Like Music—Now What? Why Preferences Alone Don’t Deliver Real Care

They Like Music—Now What? Why Preferences Alone Don’t Deliver Real Care

In person-centered care, it’s common to ask, “What do they like?”
We learn someone enjoys music, dislikes broccoli, or once loved gardening. That’s a helpful start—but it’s not enough.

Likes and dislikes are surface-level clues, not full insights into who a person is or how to care for them in a meaningful, personalized way—especially when dementia is involved.

The Problem with Preference-Based Care

Someone might “like music,” but what kind of music? Do they enjoy listening passively—or do they come alive when clapping to a rhythm or singing along?
If they used to garden, do they still find joy in working with their hands, or is it the visual beauty of flowers that resonates now?

When care is based solely on past hobbies or broad preferences, it often leads to trial and error—and missed opportunities for engagement.

What’s Missing? A Deeper Understanding

This is where the MĪ Care Survey and Plan changes the game.

Instead of just cataloging likes and dislikes, the MĪ Care tool identifies a person’s preserved intelligences using the science of Dr. Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory. It helps caregivers understand how the person still thinks, learns, and connects with the world.

For example:

• Someone who likes music may have musical-rhythmic intelligence—they respond best to rhythm, melody, or song lyrics.
• A person who once gardened may retain naturalistic intelligence, thriving when surrounded by plants or textures found in nature.

With this insight, caregivers can move from generic suggestions to targeted strategies that feel meaningful and effective.

Why This Matters

When care is aligned with someone’s cognitive strengths:

• Engagement increases
• Behavioral symptoms often decrease
• Caregiver stress goes down
• Dignity and quality of life go up

It’s not just better care—it’s real person-centered care, built on what still works, not just what’s been lost.

Bottom Line

Preferences matter. But they’re the beginning of the story—not the end.

If we want to go beyond checkbox care and deliver something truly transformative, we need tools like the MĪ Care Survey and Plan to uncover and act on the deeper layers of each person’s identity and capacity.

-Matt Call