Music has great power. People have been using rhythm, sounds, and melodies for at least 45,000 years, and probably much longer. People have always liked music. Music therapy is a health profession that has been around for a long time. It uses music to help people with their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs, from young children to older adults.
Music is good for older people's physical and mental health in many ways. Seniors are now using music and learning to play instruments as a form of therapy. The treatment is so much fun that many places for seniors to live think of it as entertainment or a social activity.
Music can be a part of any way of life. Songs can take you back to happy times and make you smile right away. There are many ways that we and our older loved ones can benefit from music therapy. You can try some of the ideas in this article. Clinically speaking, the goal of Musical Therapy for seniors is to keep or improve their physical health, mental processing, and social functioning.
Better memory and concentration
For seniors to get the most out of music therapy, they have to remember words, patterns, rhythms, and instructions. To take part and "make music," people need to practice focusing in a fun way. When people are part of a group, they are more likely to stay the course and do their best for the team.
Calm down agitation in people with dementia
Music therapists use songs with different themes, lyrics, instruments, and rhythms to help people relax. This lowers the level of the stress hormone cortisol and slows down the heart rate. Because of the effect, seniors feel calmer and are physically better able to relax.
Help for Stress and Depression
Music can help people feel better. It can get to us on a deep level and affect how we feel. Music with a lot of energy and happy songs can pull us right out of sadness, fear, and hopelessness. Just listening to music that means something to us can help us relax and feel less stressed. Seniors who may be lonely and isolated feel so much better after talking to other people. Depression can be forgotten if a person is busy and enjoying what they are doing.
Move around and exercise more.
Some activities in music therapy involve moving around. This can be done by clapping, moving the arms and legs, or shaking instruments of all shapes and sounds. People often make music together using a wide range of tools and instruments. Once you're calm, it's natural to start to sway or even dance to the beat. People who don't move much also get these benefits.
Improve your ability to communicate
Music therapy is a helpful tool for people who live in a memory care center. It helps because it slows down the loss of language skills. People who can't talk anymore are encouraged to show how they feel by humming or moving their hands. People are also encouraged to talk to each other through singing, which makes it easier for them to say how they really feel.
Help with making friends
Many older adults, especially those with dementia, Alzheimer's, and other neurocognitive disorders, have a lot of trouble with social anxiety. Social anxiety makes people feel scared and irritable. This fear can be overcome with music therapy for seniors, which gives them a rare chance to relax and enjoy the company of others. Working as a team also gives hope and comfort to people who are struggling.
At Miami Jewish Health, music therapy is a common and important way to treat people. Group sessions involve 3-12 participants. Our Music Therapist also works one-on-one with people who can't get out of bed or who do better on their own. There is a lot to see and hear, but the groups often start talking about the songs. They bring back good memories and make people talk about what the words mean. Live music shows are an important part of everyday life. One of our residents' favorite things to do is to listen to music outside in nature.
Finally, we'll give you some ideas for how to use music in your everyday life. Help the elderly people you care about enjoy the benefits of music.
Make playlists of music.
There are so many ways to stream music, find playlists, or make your own playlists these days. All of Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, and YouTube Music let you listen to music on more than one device. Make it as easy as possible to listen to music on demand by adding an Amazon Alexa. You can put things in order by decade, genre, or artist. Make a list of things that will motivate, inspire, and amuse you.
Choose the right music player for an older person
People with memory problems can choose from a few different kinds of music players. It's up to each person to choose the right device. The best thing to do is to go shopping with your loved one in person. Find out what they think and how they use the products. There are music players made especially for older people with dementia or other memory problems. They are sold on Amazon.
Here is a list of songs that might be good for seniors:
The American Pie
Pull on Me
Amazing Grace
Blue Suede Shoes Ob-La-Di Somewhere Over the Rainbow Blue Skies
Take me out to the game
Don't Worry, Be Happy, This Little Light of Mine, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, You're My Sunshine
Prioritize music.
Set a good example and start listening to more music. Play the music that your older family and friends like. Give them clear instructions on how to use the devices to get them interested.
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