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Music and Elderly Care: 5 Reasons Why Music Therapy Helps

September 15, 2022
It is no secret that music has a profound effect on people of all ages. For seniors, in particular, the use of music therapy can have a range of benefits. From reducing anxiety and depression to improving cognitive function, there are numerous reasons why music therapy is beneficial for seniors. Music can be a great medium to improve connection and social interaction for senior adults that are used to living in isolated settings.

Senior care facilities that offer music therapy programs can encourage their residents to have an alternative source of enjoyment and can also provide relief from the physical and emotional challenges of aging.

At BrightStar Care, we love providing new methods in our caregiving process! Read on to learn more about how music therapy plays a huge role in the lives of our Clients. 
 

What is Music Therapy?

Senior care may be a challenging yet gratifying profession. One of the difficulties is in coming up with methods to keep clients engaged and mentally sharp. Music therapy is one method that is becoming increasingly popular in addressing these issues. This type of therapy uses the application of music to enhance cognitive and emotional well-being. The therapist may utilize live music or recorded music, as well as individual or group sessions. Music therapy has been shown to benefit senior patients, and it may be a wonderful method to improve morale and mental sharpness. Therapists frequently collaborate with patients to choose music that is soothing or invigorating, depending on the demands of the patient. Music therapy can be an entertaining and beneficial element of any assisted living facility's program.


How Does Music Therapy Work for the Elderly?

Elderly care institutions have been using music therapy to enhance the quality of life for their elders for many years. The advantages of music therapy are well-known, and there is a growing body of evidence proving its efficacy in Elderly care.

How does music therapy work? Music has the potential to cause a wide range of emotions and memories, which may be utilized to assist seniors in dealing with the effects of aging. The loss of friends and relatives might be a significant source of sadness for many elders. Listening to music that reminds them of happy times can help boost their mood and give them a more positive outlook on life. Similarly, music can also be used to help ease anxiety and depression.

In addition to its emotional benefits, music therapy can also help improve cognitive functioning in people. Studies have shown that listening to music can help improve memory, concentration, and attention span. This has proven to be beneficial to those who suffer from Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Music therapy can be an especially effective treatment. Listening to familiar tunes can help trigger memories and stimulate cognitive activity.
 

So Why Consider Music Therapy?

Music has been known to have curative properties for a long time. Music can help to reduce blood pressure and anxiety while also providing a sense of social inclusion. Music therapy may also assist older people in coping with loneliness, sadness, and memory loss.  According to the National Institutes of Health, music therapy is an efficient approach to enhancing the quality of life.

Senior Care Communities should include music therapy in their programs and here's why:


1. It has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in seniors.

Music therapy has grown increasingly popular in recent years as a way to relieve stress and anxiety in the elderly. Music therapy is now being used by many nursing homes across the world, with positive outcomes. Music treatment has been shown to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory functioning while also reducing stress hormone levels. In addition, this type of therapy has the potential to improve cognitive function and lower the incidence of falls. These advantages can make a significant difference in seniors' quality of life. Music therapy is non-invasive, affordable, and most importantly, it works. As more and more seniors are exposed to the advantages of music therapy, its appeal will undoubtedly increase.


2. It can help improve their mood and overall outlook on life.

Although many people associate the elderly with helplessness and require constant attention, seniors are frequently quite self-sufficient. However, as individuals grow older, their moods and perspective may begin to change. Seniors who live alone may feel lonely and isolated, especially if they don't have family or friends around. Music therapy has been found to help significantly with mood and overall attitude in seniors. Music therapy has been shown in studies to help with anxiety and depression, as well as the expression of positive feelings. Residents of elderly care facilities that provide music therapy programs frequently experience a significant boost in mood and optimism. As a result, music therapy is an increasingly popular way to improve the quality of life for seniors.


3. It can help boost their cognitive functioning and memory recall.

Music therapy is an excellent tool for stimulating and retaining memories in the elderly, which is why it's a wonderful way to combat dementia. As people age, their memory recall and other cognitive abilities decline. Music might create stronger ties with certain places, memories, and events, providing them with a better quality of life while decreasing the risk of harm or accidents. Music has the power to build strong relationships with specific locations, memories, and events, making it a delightful experience for older individuals. Clients with Dementia are often encouraged to listen to music that reminds them of their youth, which leads to a positive response.


4. It can provide a much-needed outlet for expression and creativity.

As our loved ones grow older, they frequently face physical and mental problems that might be difficult to manage. Music therapy has shown to be a successful method for allowing seniors to communicate and develop their creativity. Music therapy may help elders reconnect with their emotions and make new memories by using music to create pleasant experiences. Music therapy can also offer a free form outlet for those who can no longer paint or engage in other types of art. For seniors living in assisted-care facilities, music therapy can provide an important source of connection and stimulation. By helping seniors connect with their emotions and creativity, music therapy can improve their quality of life.


5. It can promote social interaction and bonding with others.

Senior care facilities may be intimidating and perplexing for clients. With so many people coming and going, it's tough to keep track of names and faces. This might result in feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can have a detrimental influence on one's mental as well as physical health. Music therapy is one approach to encourage social engagement among senior patients. Music is a language that everyone can understand, regardless of their age or background. Patients have the opportunity to be creative and vocal in a non-verbal way by participating in music therapy. The social interaction that takes place during music therapy sessions can help patients feel more connected to others, improving overall mood and quality of life.

Including music in a care plan is a win-win situation for both the senior and the caregiver. It's one of the simplest and most effective ways to enhance the quality of life for seniors, and it doesn't cost a lot of money either. So if you're looking for ways to make your care plans more effective, be sure to include music!
 

Call BrightStar Care of Conejo today!

We hope you've enjoyed learning how music may help our elderly loved ones. Don't worry if you don't know where to start. You can always contact BrightStar Care of Conejo Valley at 805-233-3800 or visit us at 370 N. Westlake Blvd. Suite 120 Westlake Village, CA 91362, and speak with one of our experts who will help you get started. Thank you for taking the time to read this!