Music is such an integral part of our lives. No matter your age, surely you listen to your favorite tracks while driving, during workouts, while working, etc. But, did you know that there’s more to music than just enjoyment and a good time? It has great health implications too.
The right kind of therapeutic music can drastically improve your health, memory, and mood.
In this post, we look at the myriad health benefits of music for older adults and why it may make sense to get them enrolled for music lessons.
The Health Benefits of Music
Helps with Memory Processing
Studies tell us that when you listen to music, it stimulates a certain part of the brain that corresponds to the event, emotion, place, and time. This part is called the medial prefrontal cortex. In other words, it’s the memory-maker part of the brain.
When older adults suffering from Dementia listen to music as a therapy, it helps their brain by stimulating memories. In this way, it helps them with better recall and also memory processing. It even happens that people who could not speak for years suddenly start humming when exposed to music therapy.
It can Promote Stroke Recovery
According to AHA (American Heart Association), stroke survivors tend to experience a major improvement in their strength and balance when they engage in music therapy lessons. That’s why many centers would use music as part of their rehabilitation sessions. Just like it helps with memory loss, music also helps to stimulate parts of the region that control coordination and movement.
Music Offers Comfort and Peace
During old age, peace and comfort can seem like a distant thing. There are increasing needs for the elderly to meet their social, spiritual, and emotional needs. During those times, music comes to your rescue. Music therapy can induce sensations of comfort and well-being. It can offer an emotional connection with everyone including people, objects, and life in itself.
Increases Relaxation
Slow music can offer immense relaxation. It is a great tool for people experiencing stress and agitation. It is an excellent tool for reducing anxiety, tension and boosting self-esteem.
In times when your parents or some other senior in the family experience agitation, it’s good to play a meaningful song from their younger days that they used to listen to. It can be anything such as jazz, classical, or something that they find personally comforting.
Reduces Cognitive Decline
According to the experts, conditions like Dementia are a result of slow cognitive decline which leads to difficulty experiencing healthy, positive emotions and feelings.
Therefore, by playing hopeful music you can cause certain brain chemicals to release that induce feelings of positivity in Dementia patients. It’s a great way to lift their spirits and even change their outlook on life for the better.
Not just that, many experts believe that prolonged usage of music therapy can even keep this debilitating condition at bay. There’s a reason why music is always at the forefront of most assisted living communities.
Promotes Faster Healing and Manages Bodily Pain
When you engage in activities like music and dancing, your attention shifts away from the pain sensation towards more measurable ones. In this way, music can effectively lessen pain. When seniors listen to or play music, their breathing becomes more rhythmic.
This can help to improve their respiratory health as well by releasing bodily tensions and bettering their mood. All of these can have a significant impact on the quality of life.
Improving Sleep Quality
Music can improve the quality of sleep. It may even cure sleeping disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea. Music archives that by calming the nervous system which causes the breathing to become slower. Music therapy can also reduce blood pressure and heart rate.
Integrating Music into a Senior’s Life?
There are endless ways in which a senior can make music a part of their life. They can enroll in music classes, they can join a choir, or find a channel they love.
They can also attend concerts. If you reside in a senior community, check out music under their list of activities and programs. Partaking in multicultural events and activities could even expose you to new, previously unexplored genres of music.
Besides that, below are some other things you can try –
- You could always create a playlist of your parent’s favorite songs they love. Today with the internet, it’s easier than ever before.
- Lookup for live concerts happening in your area. Take your parents there. Check out local communities that usually have monthly concerts lined up. During spring, winter and fall – keep checking with your local school district schedule. They often have musical groups, choirs, and bands performing now and then for the general public.
- Get them an instrument and encourage them to learn it. Hobbies like singing, dancing, and playing an instrument can boost their self-esteem tremendously. They carry amazing therapeutic implications for seniors.
- Encourage your elderly and loved ones to explore YouTube. It’s a great way to reintroduce the music they had forgotten about. Checking out their favorite artist’s live performance could be a positive change in their life.
Bottom Line
They don’t call music the essence of life for nothing. It has so much to offer; besides the entertainment and a good time. Getting your loved ones enrolled in music classes is, therefore, one of the best things you can do to enrich their lives during old age.
Thanks to Curtis Dean for contributing this informative article to Leisure Freak.
Author Bio:
Curtis Dean writes on behalf of Sage Music School where they base lessons on the science and research of the psychology of learning. Their effective teaching methods create confident and capable students who enjoy the happiness of making music. Sage Music Social Media links: Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin