From seniors who are experiencing depression due to recent medical diagnoses to those living with dementia, music therapy has numerous benefits for elderly people. As part of a treatment plan, music can promote various aspects of your aging loved one’s emotional, cognitive, and physical health.
Reduces Stress & Agitation
Your loved one may experience stress as a result of health conditions, financial problems, medical treatments, or family disagreements. Listening to music can soothe your loved one and reduce this stress. Sometimes seniors with Alzheimer’s can become agitated due to their inability to communicate, but music therapy has been shown to reduce this agitation and promote calm feelings.
Playing musical instruments provides seniors with a hobby that prevents anxiety and depression by stimulating the production of endorphins. Music increases motivation and allows individuals to have the freedom of creative expression. The time and energy invested in producing melodic tones lifts spirits and induces relaxation.
A home caregiver can help your loved one develop a variety of strategies for reducing stress. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elderly home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Boosts Cognition
Hearing a familiar song can bring up fond memories and positive feelings from the past. With the help of music therapy, your loved one can preserve important memories and process his or her thoughts more easily. The act of singing or playing an instrument encourages the development of neurological pathways within the brain. Actively playing music also strengthens these connections.
Music therapy can be particularly beneficial for older adults living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of age-related dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, seniors with dementia respond positively to music. Aging adults with dementia experience more effective results from treatment while listening to music they enjoyed when they were between 18 and 25 years old.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Tucson families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life.
Helps with Communication
Seniors who participate in music therapy can make decisions more quickly, speak more clearly, and answer questions with greater accuracy. A study done by researchers at Willamette University found music therapy is effective in slowing down the loss of communication skills that often occurs in elderly people. Additionally, seniors with Alzheimer’s who have lost the ability to communicate can often still hum or sing songs from their past when they listen to music that was popular in their younger years.
Inspires Movement & Exercise
Music can inspire inactive seniors to move their bodies and get some exercise, increasing their circulation and helping them manage their weight. Even some seniors who use wheelchairs can tap their feet and move their arms in time to the music, which can keep them physically active.
Whether seniors clap their hands, tap their feet, dance, or play an instrument, they’re using various muscle groups in the process. Learning to play an instrument with strings, buttons, or keys further enhances fine motor skills and dexterity. Just hearing beloved tunes induces muscle relaxation and reduces tension.
If your loved one needs help with exercising and other essential tasks of daily life, consider hiring a home caregiver. In Tucson, home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. To create a customized in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (520) 276-6555.